How to Write a Business Development Manager CV: Step-by-Step Guide

Top-quality business development managers play a crucial role in driving growth and success across a wide range of industries in the UK. From transport and healthcare to charities and retail, these professionals are vital for identifying new opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and steering companies toward sustained profitability. To get ahead in this field, you need a modern CV that showcase your unique skills and experience.

In this article, we cover:

• How to become a business development manager, even with no work experience.

• How to add qualifications, skills and other relevant sections.

• How to write a good CV to stand out to hiring managers in this competitive job market.

• Dos and don'ts for a successful CV that is applicant tracking system (ATS)-friendly.

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Business development CV example 

In this business development manager CV template, Alex Lindsay is a highly motivated and results-oriented Business Manager with over 10 years of diverse experience driving revenue growth and leading successful sales teams. The CV template for a business development manager is Cornell and succinctly showcases his extensive qualifications and skills, demonstrating his suitability for senior roles. 

What should you include in a business development CV? 

Found in diverse sectors from finance and technology to manufacturing and logistics, business management has both entry-level and senior-level opportunities. When preparing your business development CV, ensure it is well-organised, uses clear language and has a professional format. 

Key sections typically include:

• Personal details: Include your full name, contact information, and LinkedIn profile.

• Personal profile: Provide a concise summary highlighting your key achievements, professional goals, and expertise in business development.

• Education: List your relevant degrees and certifications, including the institutions and graduation dates.

• Work experience: Detail your key responsibilities and quantifiable achievements in previous roles, emphasising your impact on revenue growth and strategic partnerships.

• Skills and further training: Highlight your technical and soft skills, along with any additional professional development courses or workshops you've completed.

To start the CV writing process, create a master CV. This comprehensive document includes all your experience, skills, and training. While not sent to employers, your master CV is useful for creating job-specific applications. 

Take inspiration from roles that require managing multiple stakeholders and driving revenue, such as procurement, operations management, and account management.

How to write a business development CV: 5 steps with examples 

1. How to list business development skills on a CV 

Understanding what skills to put on a CV is about highlighting both soft and hard skills in the context of your job targets. Incorporate essential soft skills into your personal profile, and allocate a separate section for technical competencies. 

If you’re changing careers, applying for an internship or writing an entry-level business development assistant CV, emphasise transferable skills gained from previous roles, such as office or admin positions.

5 essential skills for business development

1. Strategic planning: develop and implement long-term business strategies.

2. Market analysis: proficiency in researching and understanding market trends and dynamics.

3. Sales and negotiation: close deals and maintain profitable customer relationships.

4. Project management: manage multiple projects to achieve business objectives.

5. Financial acumen: understand financial statements and budgets to make informed business decisions.

2. How to write a personal profile for a business development CV 

Your profile should showcase your professional achievements and provide examples of how you have successfully applied these skills in a practical work environment. Consider the following:

1. Integrate must-have soft skills into your personal profile.

2. Use keywords listed in the job description to attract recruiters. 

3. List essential soft skills such as teamwork.

Examples of soft skills in a personal profile:

"Results-driven Business Development Executive with a proven track record in strategic planning, market analysis, leadership, communication, and problem-solving."

"Ambitious Business Development Intern with strong communication and teamwork skills, eager to contribute to innovative projects."

Show how you apply these skills in relevant contexts:

"Business Development Executive who successfully increased sales by 30% through strategic market analysis and targeted sales campaigns."

"Business Development Intern who collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement effective business strategies, resulting in a 15% growth in client acquisition."

Examples of personal profiles to elevate your CV

Learn more about how to write a CV for an internship.

Explore over 30+ personal profile examples and tips for your CV.

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3. How to include practical work experience 

When listing your work experience on a business development manager CV, highlight your business acumen, responsibilities, and achievements.

1. Use a chronological CV format starting with your most recent role.

2. Write a brief description of duties in 2-3 sentences.

3. Follow this with clear and concise bullet points to outline your contributions.

Explore similar industries relevant to business such as financial analysis, accounting, supply chain or operations management to enhance your CV and showcase your skills in diverse industries. 

Examples of job descriptions for prior work experience 

Business Development Specialist | Tech Innovators Ltd., Edinburgh | 2016 - 2022

Conduct research to identify potential clients in the IT sector. Initiate contact through cold calling and arrange meetings to present IT solutions. Develop pricing strategies and negotiate terms with clients. Represent the company at industry conferences to network and promote services.

• Increased client base by 30% within the first year through targeted outreach efforts.

• Played a key role in launching a new software product that generated £500,000 in sales within six months.

Junior Business Development Manager | FinanceCorp, London | 2018 - 2020

Analyse market trends to identify new business opportunities in the financial sector. Assist in the development of business plans and sales strategies. Manage client accounts and provide regular updates to senior management. Prepare financial reports and sales forecasts.

• Helped increase company revenue by 25% through effective client management and sales tactics.

• Managed a portfolio of clients worth £2 million, maintaining high rates of satisfaction and retention.

Business Development Associate | Healthcare Solutions, Manchester | 2016 - 2021

Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the healthcare sector. Develop customised proposals and presentations for potential clients. Coordinate with product development teams to ensure offerings meet market demands. Manage ongoing client relationships to ensure satisfaction and retention.

• Secured contracts with three new healthcare providers, contributing to a 15% increase in revenue.

• Improved client retention rates by 25% through effective relationship management.

Business Development Executive | Doncaster Construction Ltd., Birmingham | 2018 - Present

Manage the development and execution of strategic business initiatives, including market analysis, client acquisition, and contract negotiations. Foster and maintain relationships with key clients and stakeholders. Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to create targeted campaigns and drive revenue growth.

• Increased annual revenue by 20% through strategic partnerships and new client acquisitions.

• Successfully negotiated a multi-year contract with a major construction firm.

How to add work history if you have little to no experience

If you have little to no work experience, consider listing part-time jobs to highlight transferable skills such as customer service, which can lead to more relevant and senior roles such as restaurant management.  

Sales Assistant | DesignLuxe Retail Store, London | June 2022 - Present

Assisted customers with their purchases, providing excellent customer service and resolving issues to ensure a positive shopping experience. Managed inventory, restocked shelves, and organised displays to maintain an attractive and efficient store layout. Collaborated with team members to achieve sales targets and improve store performance.

• Improved customer retention: developed strong communication and interpersonal skills by interacting with diverse customers, leading to a noticeable increase in repeat customers.

• Increased sales revenue: contributed to an increase through effective upselling and cross-selling techniques.

Business Administration Intern | ForeTime, London | June 2023 - Present

Assist with daily administrative tasks, including filing, data entry, and scheduling meetings. Support office management by organising documents and maintaining records. Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions. Provide customer service support by answering phones and responding to emails.

• Organised and digitised the company’s filing system, improving efficiency and accessibility.

• Assisted in organising a successful promotional event that attracted over 100 potential clients.

When writing an entry-level business development CV, pursue an internship if you have no experience, and prioritise your education section. If you’re transitioning from another career or are a recent school-leaver, consider using a skills-based CV to highlight your expertise and transferable skills.

Leverage your business skills across diverse roles to maximise your career opportunities in industries like construction, healthcare, IT and finance.

4. How to include education on a business development CV 

To become a business development manager in the UK, you can pursue many career pathways, such as an undergraduate degree, a college course, an apprenticeship, or a graduate training scheme. Employers often prefer candidates with experience in sales, marketing, and project management. If you have little to no work experience, internships or work placements can help you develop essential commercial industry skills.

For recent students or an entry-level business development CV with little to no experience, prioritise listing any relevant courses and certifications, coursework, and academic subjects. For expert advice on entering work after graduating refer to our blog.

How to format education on your CV:

University degree:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing and Business Development, University of London, London, UK, 2018-2021

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, 2017-2020.

Apprenticeship:

• Business Administration Apprentice, Long Meadows College, Birmingham, UK, 2019-2020

For more advice, read how to write an education section on a CV.

5. How to add courses and certificates to a CV 

Including relevant courses and certificates on your business development assistant CV can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth. Follow these steps:

1. Create a section and title it ‘Courses and Certificates’.

2. List relevant courses: include only those relevant to business development, sales, marketing, or leadership.

3. Provide details: for each entry, include the course name, institution, location (if applicable), and completion date.

Examples:

• Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP), Institute of Business Development, London, 2022

• Strategic Sales Management Certification, Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), London, 2021

• Advanced Negotiation Skills, London Business School, London, 2020

• Digital Marketing Fundamentals, Coursera (Google Digital Garage), Online, 2019.

Dos and don’ts for a business development CV

Dos:

1. Tailor your CV: customise your CV for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Read more

2. Use action verbs: start bullet points with strong action verbs to convey your responsibilities and achievements. 

3. Quantify achievements: use numbers and concrete examples that demonstrate your strengths in past roles or experiences.

4. Keep it concise: aim to make your CV one page long to ensure it's easy for hiring managers to review quickly.

Don’ts:

1. Avoid irrelevant information: highlight relevant experience and skills, avoiding unnecessary details. 

2. Don’t use fancy fonts or colours: use a clean and professional layout with easy-to-read fonts. 

3. Don’t include personal information: leave out details like age, marital status, and photos to avoid bias and keep the focus on your professional qualifications.

4. Don’t include references unless requested: save space by excluding references unless specifically asked for in the job posting.

Key takeaways 

Creating a job-winning CV requires showcasing your strategic planning abilities, significant achievements, and qualifications. For those starting, internships, volunteer roles, and continuous learning opportunities are invaluable. Highlighting transferable skills acquired from diverse business industries and pursuing relevant courses can significantly boost your profile and improve your chances of landing a job interview. 

Next steps? 

Utilise our user-friendly CV Builder and CV Writing Service to streamline your application process. Additionally, we have 150+ CV examples and insightful career blogs providing the latest expert guidance, perfect for those seeking how to write a good cover letter, tips on sending your CV by email or interested in tracking job applications.

FAQs

What is the brief description of business development?

Business development involves identifying and creating strategic opportunities to grow a company, such as forming partnerships, expanding markets, and increasing revenue.

Is business development a good career option?

Yes, business development is a rewarding career with diverse opportunities across various industries. It offers strong career growth and the potential for high earnings. There are also remote and hybrid work opportunities in the UK.

How much do business development jobs pay in the UK?

Salaries for business development roles in the UK vary but typically range from £26,000 for entry-level positions to over £64,000 for experienced managers.

Is business development in high demand?

Yes, business development professionals are increasingly in demand as a top career choice, as companies continually seek to expand their markets and increase profitability.

How do I become a business development manager in the UK?

Typically need a relevant degree, such as in business or marketing, along with experience in sales or management roles. Gaining certifications and professional development can also enhance your qualifications.