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What does a senior business development representative do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

A senior business development representative is responsible for generating leads for their company and turning those leads into prospective customers. They contact potential clients through cold emails and phone calls. They need to identify the latest trends in the market and provide necessary information to the marketing department.

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Senior business development representative responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior business development representative resumes:

  • Generate qualify leads through B2B telemarketing services specialize in identifying and nurturing prospects for computer hardware, software and technology services.
  • Exceed monthly sales goals for SaaS industry leader in restaurant technology.
  • Promote and sell SAAS (software as a service) technologies to various industries.
  • Generate qualify leads through B2B telemarketing services specialize in identifying and nurturing prospects for computer hardware, software and technology services.
  • Secure renewal revenue and generate new business through upselling opportunities.
  • Utilize Cisco Webex for presenting Powerpoint presentations and contract agreement documents.

Senior business development representative skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Senior Business Development Representatives are proficient in Linkedin, BDR, and Lead Generation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Organizational skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Business Development Representatives that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Linkedin, 11%

    Enhanced company social media platforms by updating all product information across Facebook and LinkedIn.

  • BDR, 9%

    Received promotion to Senior BDR 2013 by achieving 105% of quota.

  • Lead Generation, 9%

    Implemented, administered and coordinated client education/lead generation program, resulting in first position market share

  • Salesforce CRM, 7%

    Maintained schedules and meeting calendars, updated SalesForce CRM for an assigned portfolio.

  • Outbound Calls, 5%

    Generated new business opportunities by sending email communications and making outbound calls to qualified prospects.

  • Trade Shows, 5%

    Write, design and oversee development of Sales and Marketing Material for customer visits and trade shows.

Most senior business development representatives use their skills in "linkedin," "bdr," and "lead generation" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior business development representative responsibilities here:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a senior business development representative to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what senior business development representatives do because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." Additionally, a senior business development representative resume shows how senior business development representatives use creativity: "supported the company president with unique issues that required creative resolutions for vip customers that required managerial assistance. "

Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior business development representative duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff members." According to a senior business development representative resume, here's how senior business development representatives can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "learned organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills in relation to the sales cycle. "

Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior business development representatives is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior business development representative duties, as "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to analyze industry trends to determine the most promising strategies for their organization." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed sales presentations and managed saleslogix crm database. "

Communication skills. For certain senior business development representative responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior business development representative rely on this skill, as "managers must be able to communicate effectively with a broad-based team made up of other managers or staff members during the advertising, promotions, and marketing process." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior business development representatives do: "mentored new employees in effective communications skills and product knowledge. "

Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a senior business development representative to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what senior business development representatives relies on this skill, since "managers must deal with a range of people in different roles, both inside and outside the organization." How this skill relates to senior business development representative duties can be seen in an example from a senior business development representative resume snippet: "provided business development support utilizing strong interpersonal and communications skills. "

Most common senior business development representative skills

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Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume
Senior Business Development Representative Resume

Compare different senior business development representatives

Senior business development representative vs. Area sales representative

The primary role of an area sales representative is to sell the company's products and services within a specified region or territory. You will be responsible for attracting new clients, increase profitability, and win new accounts. Other duties typically include building and maintaining relationships with both new and existing customers, traveling across the region to visit customers, and maintaining records of customer accounts and sales leads. As an area sales representative, it is also your duty to close deals and negotiate service agreements, prices, and terms of sale.

We looked at the average senior business development representative salary and compared it with the wages of an area sales representative. Generally speaking, area sales representatives are paid $43,914 lower than senior business development representatives per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between senior business development representatives and area sales representatives are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like trade shows, cold calls, and sales process.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior business development representatives and area sales representative. For instance, senior business development representative responsibilities require skills such as "linkedin," "bdr," "lead generation," and "salesforce crm." Whereas a area sales representative is skilled in "customer service," "business development," "customer relations," and "post sales." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Area sales representatives earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $74,783. On the other hand, senior business development representatives are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $123,747.area sales representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than senior business development representatives. In fact, area sales representatives are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business development representative vs. Director of sales & business development

A director of sales & business development is responsible for monitoring the business and project plans, ensuring that the sales targets are met, according to project requirements and specifications. Directors of sales & business development perform data analysis to track business performance and identify opportunities to grow revenues and profits. They also coordinate with the clients and maintain healthy business relationships by enhancing their brand image on various platforms and reach the target audience. A director of sales & business development works closely with the marketing and sales team for public relations and marketing campaigns placement.

A career as a director of sales & business development brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior business development representative. In fact, directors of sales & business development salary is $19,684 lower than the salary of senior business development representatives per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior business development representatives and directors of sales & business development have skills such as "trade shows," "sales process," and "saas. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior business development representative resumes. While senior business development representative responsibilities can utilize skills like "linkedin," "bdr," "lead generation," and "salesforce crm," directors of sales & business development use skills like "value proposition," "crm," "revenue growth," and "leveraged."

On average, directors of sales & business development earn a lower salary than senior business development representatives. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, directors of sales & business development earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $127,443. Whereas senior business development representatives have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $123,747.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Directors of sales & business development tend to reach similar levels of education than senior business development representatives. In fact, they're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business development representative vs. Vice president, business development

A vice president of business development is an individual who leads in the execution of business plans and provides new business strategies for an organization. Vice presidents of business development closely work with a team of salespeople, management, and lower-level employees to secure contracts with new customers and manage ongoing agreements. They often travel to participate in business conferences and meetings with vendors and suppliers. Vice presidents of business development must also possess a bachelor's degree in business administration or marketing.

An average vice president, business development eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of senior business development representatives. The difference in salaries amounts to vice presidents, business development earning a $62,890 higher average salary than senior business development representatives.By looking over several senior business development representatives and vice presidents, business development resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "trade shows," "sales process," and "saas." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior business development representative is likely to be skilled in "linkedin," "bdr," "lead generation," and "salesforce crm," while a typical vice president, business development is skilled in "healthcare," "business strategy," "revenue growth," and "financial services."

Vice presidents, business development earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $164,511. Senior business development representatives earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $123,747.When it comes to education, vice presidents, business development tend to earn higher degree levels compared to senior business development representatives. In fact, they're 11.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business development representative vs. Sales/account representative

A sales account representative is responsible for managing and responding promptly to customer complaints and queries of clients. They focus on customer concerns and contact prospects. They work on upselling or cross-selling products and services, collaborating with account executives, and prepare reports to upper management. This job requires you to be a goal-driven person, energetic, and have excellent communication skills. Moreover, this is a challenging job; at times, it requires being extra polite and calm in handling customer complaints and other related situations.

Sales/account representatives typically earn lower pay than senior business development representatives. On average, sales/account representatives earn a $45,315 lower salary per year.According to resumes from senior business development representatives and sales/account representatives, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "lead generation," "outbound calls," and "trade shows. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "linkedin," "bdr," "salesforce crm," and "saas" are skills that commonly show up on senior business development representative resumes. On the other hand, sales/account representatives use skills like customer service, crm, sales techniques, and business development on their resumes.The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for sales/account representatives, with average annual pay of $72,531. Comparatively, the highest senior business development representative annual salary comes from the finance industry.The average resume of sales/account representatives showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior business development representatives. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.8%.

Types of senior business development representative

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.