Job profile
Business Development Manager (m/f/d)
Market analysis, the development of existing business areas and the development of new markets make the work of a Business Development Manager challenging, but also exciting. In view of increasing international competition, business development management is a sought-after business area in many industries for the future positioning and further development of organizations.
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What is a Business Development Manager? Aligning the company strategically
Business development managers are people who develop and implement strategies to promote the growth and profitability of a company.
They identify new business opportunities, make important contacts and improve existing services or products. The aim is to keep an eye on the company's profitability and respond to rapid economic change. Depending on the size of the company, BDMs work directly with the management. The balancing act between customer needs, competition, future trends and market development makes your job as a Business Development Manager unique and varied.
Business Development Managers - often also called Company Development Managers - are therefore sought-after specialists and occupy a key position in the company. They act as a highly communicative interface between customers and management and often climb steeply up the career ladder in the course of their work.
The BD Manager is not limited to a specific industry.
Companies are often looking for engineers from the fields of natural sciences, IT, mechanical engineering, telecommunications, the pharmaceutical industry or biotechnology. An academic background is therefore a good basis for a career as a Business Development Manager - although career changers also have good prospects.
Business Development Manager average salary Switzerland: What do Business Development Managers earn?
With a job as a BDM, your salary is generally above the Swiss average.
Business Development Managers earn an average of CHF 115,000 per year in Switzerland. This figure can vary depending on the canton, gender and qualifications. For example, the average annual salary in Bern is CHF 135,000, while in Zurich it is CHF 106,000.
The following applies: the more relevant your professional experience in a particular sector and the larger the company you work for, the higher your salary will be.
Junior Business Development Manager average salary: This is your starting salary as a Business Development Manager in Switzerland
Senior Business Development Manager salary: Your earnings as a BD Manager
Business Development Manager tasks: What does a Business Development Manager do?
Analyzing, drawing conclusions, developing strategies - that describes the job of a business development manager in a few words.
Based on continuous analyses, BDMs optimize existing corporate strategies and design new ones. Improving operational performance is also one of their tasks. In doing so, Business Development Managers keep an eye on the potential of other companies, external specialists and their own employees and resources.
Your goal as a Business Development Manager is to boost business and to do this you need to increase sales. Therefore, your tasks also include sales talks with customers - especially in sales-oriented business development.
It is therefore very important to initiate contact with potential customers or partner companies, as this is the only way to realize innovative strategies. Internally, there is close cooperation with Key Account Managers, so it is important that each area knows its tasks. Not least because of this customer contact and collaboration with other teams, empathy, networking and communication skills are particularly in demand in the soft skills area.
In summary, Business Development has the following tasks:
Design and implementation of new strategies in marketing, sales and customer service
Market and competitor analysis
Communication with (potential) customers and partner companies
Exchange and cooperation with the development department
Training employees with regard to new strategic goals
Presence at trade fairs and conferences
New customer acquisition: BD managers identify potential new customers who could be of interest to the company. They build relationships with them and develop strategies to win them over and retain them in the long term.
Product development: Business Development Managers work closely with the product teams to improve existing products and develop new products tailored to the needs of customers. They use market analysis and feedback to ensure that the company's products remain competitive.
Opening up new markets: BDMs analyze new market opportunities and develop strategies to tap into them. This may involve expanding into new geographical areas, entering new sectors or adapting products or services to new customer segments.
Junior Business Development Manager Tasks
Senior Business Development Manager tasks
Business Development Further training and studies: How do you become a business developer?
There is no fixed training and career path for business development managers. However, a degree in business administration is definitely an advantage and serves as a good basis for a future in business development. Your professional skills and experience are particularly important. This is why the requirements for this job depend heavily on the industry in which you work.
As a rule, the position of Business Development Manager is not an entry-level position. It requires a certain amount of experience - both in the relevant specialist area and in dealing with customers and management.
Business development training
Business development studies in Switzerland
Master in Disruptive Business Development at the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden
Master in Business Innovation at the University of St. Gallen
Business administration
Marketing & Sales
Computer science
Engineering
International Business
Business development training
In Switzerland, there are other business development management training courses in addition to a suitable degree course that will pave the way for your career. One example is the Digital Business Development (CAS) certificate, which you can complete at Bern University of Applied Sciences. At the University of St. Gallen, you can attend a three-day seminar on business development.
A completed technical education that matches the chosen industry is also suitable as a basis for a career as a Business Development Manager.
Business Development Manager skills: Your skills in business development
In addition to technical know-how, soft skills are particularly important in business development management. BD managers must be able to network well, make contact with potential customers, conduct negotiations and contribute creative ideas.
Analytical skills are also required, as important decisions on product development are based on market analyses, empirical data and market and economic trends.
The most important hard skills in business development include:
Professional experience in development, marketing or sales
Industry-specific knowledge
Analytical understanding
IT skills
Good knowledge of English
(Intercultural) communication skills and negotiation skills
Strong self-motivation and proactivity
Resilience and self-organization
A feel for trends and current developments in the industry
Willingness to travel
Creativity and inventiveness
Business Development Manager career: opportunities on the job market
The job market in Switzerland offers promising opportunities for Business Development Managers. The role of Business Development Manager is in high demand in Switzerland and is offered in many industries. The dynamic nature of the Swiss labor market offers a variety of opportunities for this profession.
Business development managers play a crucial role in the strategic development and implementation of new business ideas with the aim of increasing the company's sales, expanding and optimizing market share and expanding the customer base with existing, enhanced or new products. This role requires a deep understanding of the market and the ability to conduct market analysis and build networks.
The career opportunities for Business Development Managers in Switzerland are diverse. They can work in various departments, including marketing, sales and business development. In addition, they can work in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare and more.
The chances of getting a job also depend on speaking several languages. It is therefore an advantage for Business Development Managers in Switzerland to speak several languages.
In Business Development, you are already on a stepping stone towards management level: it is not uncommon for you to be able to progress to department management or beyond in this position.
That's why you should definitely seize the opportunity to take on responsibility and prove yourself as a specialist - one who is ambitious and enjoys their job and strategically plans their own career.
Top vacancies for business development managers: Jobs in Switzerland
FAQ
Business Development Managers (BDM) are responsible for identifying and developing business opportunities for a company. They work closely with other departments to open up new markets, forge partnerships and promote company growth.
As a Business Development Manager in Switzerland, you earn an average of CHF 115,000 gross per year. Experienced business developers who work in large companies can also earn up to CHF 160,000 per year.
As a Business Development Manager (BDM), you are responsible for the further development of products and services in a company. Your aim is to generate new customers, open up new markets and increase sales.
A degree in business administration coupled with strong industry knowledge is suitable for a career as a business developer. Career changers can also embark on a career as a BDM with a high level of technical expertise.
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