Job Purpose

• A business development director works to improve an organization's market position and achieve financial growth. This person defines long-term organizational strategic goals, builds key customer relationships, identifies business opportunities, negotiates and closes business deals and maintains extensive knowledge of current market conditions.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Specific responsibilities for a director of business development may fall into several categories, including pursuing sales leads and prospective clients, delivering presentations and proposals, and negotiating and closing business deals; developing business plans that include marketing strategies; maintaining extensive knowledge of current market conditions and reporting this to key staff; and building and maintaining important client relationships.
  
  

Qualifications

• Qualifications for this position typically include a bachelor's degree (master's in business administration often preferred) and five to 10 years experience. Other qualifications may include knowledge of the specific industry, proven revenue generation, and strategy and management experience.
  
  

Skills

• In addition to education and experience, there are other skills employers may look for when hiring a director of business development. These may include excellent communication, analytical and financial skills. Personal attributes important to this position consist of strong leadership capabilities, self-motivation, outstanding ability to sell, and strong writing and presentation skills.
  
  

Salary Information

• According to PayScale.com, the average salary of a business development director is between $88,000 and $168,000, depending on employment setting. For example, this position at a nonprofit organization averages $60,000 to $118,000, while at a private firm it averages $74,000 to $132,000. Other employment settings include hospitals, universities and government.