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Business Development Executive Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024
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Business Development Executive Resume Template
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As a Business Development Executive, you'll be responsible for driving sales, expanding client relationships, and forging new partnerships. In recent years, this role has evolved to include a strong understanding of digital marketing and analytics. When crafting your resume, it's essential to showcase not only your sales and negotiation skills but also your knowledge of digital tools and trends. In the second paragraph, focus on tailoring your experience to the unique needs of the companies you're targeting. Business development can vary across different industries and company sizes, so do your research and emphasize your adaptability and ability to thrive in diverse environments.
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Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022
Tips to help you write your business development executive resume in 2024, highlight digital marketing expertise.
It's vital to showcase your proficiency in digital marketing and analytics, as these skills are increasingly important in business development roles. Use your resume to highlight specific tools, platforms, and campaigns you've managed, along with any relevant certifications.
Showcase strategic thinking
Business Development Executives are expected to think strategically and identify growth opportunities. In your resume, emphasize instances where you've successfully identified new markets, devised innovative partnership strategies, or launched new products that contributed to business growth.
As a business development executive, you’ll be expected to take the reins of a business’s growth. When applying for this position, you should aim to include a broad range of relevant accomplishments that show your ability to manage personnel and departments, increase the client base, or improve sales through meeting senior clients.
Good usage of business development skills and action verbs
Each bullet point on this resume contains a relevant business development skill. From the foundational ability to “increase profitability and productivity” to meeting and exceeding sales goals for four years, this applicant goes on to include “growing territory” and establishing CRM, all of which speaks to a high level of capacity in the position.
Wide breadth of relevant BD accomplishments
This applicant touches on a number of accomplishments that are each relevant to the business development field, from their work managing servicing for a sales app to writing policies that directly improved sales. If you have been similarly involved in multiple aspects of a business’s front end and back end sales operations, you should include a similarly full perspective.
Business Development Manager Resume Sample
Business development consultant resume sample.
We spoke with hiring managers who recruit business development executives at top companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft. They shared insider tips on what they look for in resumes that stand out. Here are some key things you should focus on when writing a resume for a business development executive role.
Quantify your sales achievements
Hiring managers want to see the impact you made in your previous roles. Use numbers to quantify your achievements:
- Closed $5M in new business revenue in 2022, exceeding quota by 25%
- Grew territory revenue from $2M to $4.5M in 18 months
- Achieved 150% of annual sales target for 3 consecutive years
Compare this to simply saying:
- Responsible for closing new business deals
- Grew territory revenue
- Consistently exceeded sales targets
The specific numbers make your accomplishments more tangible and impressive.
Highlight strategic partnerships and accounts
Business development is about building key relationships. Showcase the notable partnerships and strategic accounts you landed:
- Signed enterprise deals with Fortune 500 clients including Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Target
- Established strategic partnership with Adobe, resulting in $1M+ in co-selling revenue
- Landed the company's first 7-figure contract with a global pharmaceutical firm
This demonstrates your ability to open doors and forge high-value relationships for your employer. It also name-drops recognizable brands which is sure to impress a hiring manager.
Demonstrate cross-functional leadership
Effective business development executives collaborate across the organization. Highlight how you partnered with other teams to achieve results:
- Collaborated with product and engineering to define go-to-market strategy for new AI platform, resulting in $3M sales pipeline
- Partnered with customer success to develop retention strategy, reducing churn by 5 percentage points
- Worked with marketing to create account-based campaigns, generating 50+ qualified enterprise leads
Avoid simply listing the teams you interacted with:
- Worked cross-functionally with sales, marketing, product and customer success teams
Instead, explain the initiatives you drove and the outcomes you achieved together. This shows you can rally resources and lead without formal authority.
Show progression and increasing responsibility
Hiring managers look for candidates who have grown in their business development career. Your resume should show a trajectory of increasing scope and impact. Compare these two examples:
- Business Development Representative, Acme Corp, 2018-2022
- Senior Business Development Representative, Acme Corp, 2022-Present
- Prospected SMB accounts across Northeast region
- Achieved 115% of quota in first year
- Promoted to manage enterprise accounts across North America
- Grew territory from $5M to $15M annual revenue in 2 years
- Managed team of 5 BDRs
The second example demonstrates clear growth in responsibility, performance and leadership. It tells a compelling career story beyond just title changes.
Tailor your keywords to the job description
Study the job description for the business development role you're targeting. Mirror the language and emphasize the skills they prioritize. For example, if the JD states:
The ideal candidate will have experience managing enterprise sales cycles, building C-level relationships, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Make sure your resume includes these keywords and highlights your most relevant experience:
- Managed complex enterprise sales cycles with multiple stakeholders and 6-12 month deal cycles
- Built relationships with C-level executives at Fortune 500 accounts including PepsiCo and Ford
- Collaborated with product marketing and presales to develop enterprise go-to-market playbooks
A tailored resume demonstrates that you understand the role and have the specific skills the employer is looking for. It also helps your resume perform better in applicant tracking systems that screen for keywords.
Include sales methodologies and tools
List the sales methodologies, CRM platforms, and tools you are proficient in. This shows your relevant technical and domain knowledge. For example:
- Expertise in solution selling, challenger sale, and account-based sales development (ABSD)
- Proficient in Salesforce, Outreach, ZoomInfo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Certified in Miller Heiman Strategic Selling and MEDDIC
Many companies favor candidates who are familiar with the sales approaches and tech stack they use internally. Including these details on your resume can give you a competitive edge, especially if the job description calls for them specifically.
Writing Your Business Development Executive Resume: Section By Section
summary.
A resume summary is an optional section that can be a powerful tool for Business Development Executives. While your resume itself is already a summary of your qualifications, a well-crafted summary can provide additional context and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. This is especially useful if you're a career changer or have a diverse background that may not immediately align with your target role.
However, it's important to note that a resume objective should never be used in place of a summary. Objectives are outdated and focus on what you want from an employer, rather than what value you can bring to the company. Instead, use your summary to showcase your unique value proposition and grab the hiring manager's attention.
To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Business Development Executive resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Business Development Executive Resume Summary Examples , or Business Development Executive Resume Objective Examples .
1. Tailor your summary to the business development role
When writing your summary for a Business Development Executive position, it's crucial to align your skills and experiences with the requirements of the role. Start by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the key qualifications and responsibilities.
Then, craft your summary to showcase how your background makes you an ideal fit for the position. For example:
- Business Development Executive with 8+ years of experience in SaaS sales, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and securing high-value contracts with Fortune 500 companies.
Avoid generic summaries that could apply to any job, such as:
- Experienced professional seeking a challenging role in a dynamic organization. Strong communication and leadership skills.
2. Highlight your business development achievements
Your summary is the perfect place to showcase your most impressive business development achievements. Quantify your impact whenever possible to give hiring managers a clear picture of your value.
Results-driven Business Development Executive with a proven ability to drive revenue growth and market share. Successful track record of securing multi-million dollar contracts, expanding into new markets, and building strategic partnerships. Generated $50M+ in new business revenue over the past 5 years.
Avoid using vague or cliché statements that don't provide any real insight into your abilities, such as:
- Experienced in sales and business development
- Strong negotiation and closing skills
Experience
Your work experience section is the heart of your business development executive resume. It's where you prove to potential employers that you have the skills and experience to excel in the role. Use this section to highlight your most relevant and impressive accomplishments, focusing on the impact you've made in previous positions.
1. Lead with strong action verbs
When describing your work experience, use powerful action verbs that showcase your initiative and achievements. Business development executives need to demonstrate their ability to drive growth, build relationships, and close deals. Consider verbs such as:
- Spearheaded a new market expansion strategy, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue
- Cultivated long-term partnerships with key clients, leading to a 90% retention rate
- Negotiated complex contracts worth over $5 million in annual revenue
Avoid weak or passive language that undermines your contributions, such as 'assisted' or 'helped.'
2. Quantify your impact with metrics
Numbers speak louder than words when it comes to your resume. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements using hard data to give hiring managers a clear picture of your impact. For example:
- Grew client base by 150% over 3 years, expanding into 5 new markets
- Exceeded sales targets by an average of 20% year-over-year
- Secured $10M+ in new business through targeted outreach and relationship building
If you don't have access to specific metrics, provide context to help frame your accomplishments:
- Managed a team of sales representatives
- Led a team of 12 sales representatives, consistently ranking as the top-performing region nationally
3. Showcase relevant tools and technologies
Business development executives often work with a variety of tools and technologies to manage relationships, analyze data, and streamline processes. Highlight your proficiency with relevant tools to demonstrate your technical skills and ability to adapt to new systems. For example:
Implemented Salesforce CRM to centralize customer data and improve sales forecasting, resulting in a 15% increase in team efficiency
Other tools to consider mentioning:
- CRM software (HubSpot, Pipedrive)
- Data analysis tools (Excel, Tableau)
- Proposal and contract management software (PandaDoc, Proposify)
4. Highlight promotions and career growth
Showcasing your career progression within a company or industry is a powerful way to demonstrate your value and potential. If you've been promoted or taken on increasing responsibility in your previous roles, make sure to highlight that in your work experience section.
For example:
- Associate Business Development Manager, XYZ Corp (2018-2020) - Promoted to Business Development Manager after 18 months based on strong performance and leadership potential - Managed a team of 5 associates, driving a 30% increase in qualified leads
- Business Development Manager, XYZ Corp (2020-Present) - Spearheaded expansion into the European market, securing $3M in new contracts within the first year - Mentored and trained junior team members, resulting in a 25% improvement in close rates
By showcasing your growth and the increasing impact you've made, you demonstrate your ability to take on new challenges and excel in a business development executive role.
Education
Your education section is a key part of your business development executive resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the knowledge and training to succeed in the role. Here are some tips to make your education section stand out.
1. Include your degree and major
List your degree, major, and the name of your school. If you have a bachelor's degree or higher, you typically don't need to include your high school.
- MBA, Marketing, XYZ University
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, ABC College
Avoid listing incomplete degrees or irrelevant education:
- Studied business administration at Local Community College
- High school diploma, Generic High School
2. Highlight business development coursework
If you are a recent graduate or have taken courses directly related to business development, consider listing a few relevant courses under your degree. This shows you have specific training that will help you in the role.
- Relevant Coursework: Business Strategy, Sales Management, Marketing Analytics
However, avoid listing basic or introductory level classes that don't add value:
- Courses: Intro to Business, Business Writing 101, Basic Accounting
3. Keep it concise if you are experienced
If you are a seasoned business development professional, your education section should be brief. Hiring managers are more interested in your work accomplishments. Simply list your degree, school name, and optionally the year you graduated.
MBA, XYZ University Bachelor of Science in Marketing, ABC College
There's no need to go into details about coursework or include dates that may invite age discrimination:
Master of Business Administration, XYZ University, 1985-1987 Courses: Marketing Strategy, Business Law, Organizational Behavior Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, ABC College, 1981-1985
Skills
The skills section on your resume is a critical component that showcases your expertise to potential employers. As a business development executive, it's essential to highlight the right skills that demonstrate your ability to drive growth, build relationships, and close deals. In this section, we'll walk you through the key steps to crafting a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your next business development role.
1. Tailor your skills to the job description
When crafting your skills section, it's crucial to align your skills with the requirements outlined in the job description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords, and if your skills don't match what they're looking for, your application may be automatically rejected.
To ensure your resume makes it past the ATS, carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then, incorporate those skills into your resume, using the same language and terminology as the job posting.
Business Development Account Management Sales Forecasting Contract Negotiation CRM (Salesforce)
2. Focus on hard skills and technical proficiencies
When it comes to your skills section, it's best to focus on hard skills and technical proficiencies that are directly relevant to the business development executive role. Avoid listing soft skills like "communication" or "leadership," as these are often seen as buzzwords and don't provide concrete evidence of your abilities.
Instead, highlight specific skills that demonstrate your expertise in areas like:
- Sales methodologies (e.g., SPIN selling, Challenger sales)
- Market research and analysis
- Proposal writing and presentation
- Revenue forecasting and budget management
- Business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
3. Categorize your skills for easy scanning
To make your skills section more readable and impactful, consider grouping your skills into categories. This approach helps hiring managers quickly identify your key areas of expertise and ensures that your most relevant skills stand out.
For example, you might categorize your skills as follows:
- Business Development : Strategic partnerships, account management, sales forecasting
- Market Analysis : Competitive analysis, market segmentation, trend identification
- Relationship Building : Client needs assessment, stakeholder management, networking
- Technical Skills : CRM software, data analysis, project management tools
4. Quantify your skills with proficiency levels or years of experience
To provide hiring managers with a clearer understanding of your skill set, consider quantifying your proficiency levels or years of experience for each skill. This approach helps demonstrate the depth of your expertise and allows employers to gauge how well you might perform in the role.
Here's an example of how you might format your skills section with proficiency levels:
Account Management (Expert) Sales Forecasting (Advanced) Market Research (Intermediate) Salesforce CRM (5+ years) Proposal Writing (10+ years)
However, be cautious not to overstate your proficiency levels, as this may backfire during interviews or on the job.
Skills For Business Development Executive Resumes
Here are examples of popular skills from Business Development Executive job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
Skills Word Cloud For Business Development Executive Resumes
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Business Development Executive job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
How to use these skills?
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Business Development Executive Resumes
- Template #1: Business Development Executive
- Template #2: Business Development Executive
- Template #3: Business Development Executive
- Template #4: Business Development Manager
- Template #5: Business Development Consultant
- Skills for Business Development Executive Resumes
- Free Business Development Executive Resume Review
- Other Sales Resumes
- Business Development Executive Interview Guide
- Business Development Executive Sample Cover Letters
- Alternative Careers to a Business Development Manager
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3 Business Development Executive Resume Examples
Business Development Executive Resume
Professional business development executive resume, formal business development executive resume.
- Business Development Executive Resume Writing 101
It seems that everything you touch turns to gold, but it’s not magic—it’s your skill set. Your keen sense of strategy helps you seamlessly navigate massive takeovers and come out on top.
Outlining a large business expansion plan might seem like second nature to you, but outlining a resume is another story. How can you recommend yourself to potential employers with equal ease?
Writing a great cover letter and a solid resume is the key to landing your next role. You’re in the right spot—our business development executive resume templates have helped hundreds of execs land their dream jobs.
or download as PDF
Why this resume works
- Ideally, a job-winning business development executive resume should feature the specific keywords from the ad. Then, don’t overlook the importance of a thoughtfully curated work history section that emphasizes your capability to outdo yourself or outshine competitors. For instance, see how Mikelle talks about exceeding 2019 regional sales growth targets by 31%.
Related resume examples
- International business development manager
- Director of business development
- Entry-level business development
- Business development associate
- Business development
What Matters Most: Your Business Development Executive Skills & Work
The list of skills that help you excel as a business development executive is almost as long as your past achievements. From relationship building to complex financial analysis, you’ve got a skill set to cover all the bases.
While your client acquisition and retention skills are crucial, now is the time to highlight your technical abilities. This will help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) often used by recruiters.
Underscore your skills in market research, sales prospecting, and portfolio management. Don’t forget to mention relevant CRM software, such as Salesforce. Additionally, you can include other tools like Tableau and Qualtrics.
9 most popular business development executive skills
- Market Analysis
- Financial Forecasting
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Analytics
- Sales and Negotiation
- Customer Acquisition
Sample business development executive work experience bullet points
Your path to get to this point is paved with relevant achievements. The work experience section of your resume is where you need to make the most of them.
This is not the place to be generic or vague, so don’t be modest! You know how important data can be, so use it to your advantage. Rely on recognizable metrics to emphasize your biggest wins.
Have you led a merger that delivered $4 million in revenue? Highlight that. Similarly, if your negotiation skills resulted in a 11% increase in market share, make it known.
Here’s how to showcase your best accomplishments:
- Managed a portfolio of 30+ client accounts, achieving a 95% retention rate through effective relationship management
- Developed a market entry strategy for a new geographical region, resulting in a 22% increase in market penetration
- Led a team in securing a partnership with a Fortune 500 company, leading to a multi-year contract worth $9 million
- Conducted market analysis and identified a niche segment, prompting the development of a specialized product line that generated $450,000 in revenue within the first year
Top 5 Tips for Your Business Development Executive Resume
- Just listing “business acumen” on your resume isn’t convincing, so include achievements that prove your business prowess. Focus on demonstrating your impact on revenue, growth, market expansion, client acquisition, and strategic partnerships.
- As a business development executive, you collaborate with teams, clients, stakeholders, and potential partners. Demonstrate your interpersonal skills by highlighting initiatives you’ve spearheaded and project teams you’ve led.
- Formal training and specialist certifications assure hiring managers that you have a strong base of industry knowledge. Popular business development certifications include the CBD and CPBD. Throw them in, and add any marketing and leadership certifications, such as Lean Six Sigma.
- Responsibilities can vary, so paying attention to the specifics of each job description is essential. Understand exactly what the company wants from its new exec and respond in kind. For example, if the company is expanding to a new region, show off the marketing campaign you led.
- If you’re a member of any professional associations, like the AMA (American Management Association), including these on your resume can help showcase that you’re an active community member. It’s always good to show you’re well-connected and keep your hand on the pulse.
As a business development executive, your role is centered around driving revenue, so those are some of the best metrics to include. Talk about sales targets you’ve surpassed and the way you were able to increase market share.
Yes, cover letters are a potent tool as they allow you to elaborate on elements in your resume, provide context, and add a personal touch. Your resume should focus on your technical skills, but the cover letter lets you talk about developing customized solutions for specific clients and collaborating with dozens of experts on a large project.
The perfect resume always fits on one page. It’s challenging, but your resume template only has one very specific job to do, and that’s to hold concise and keyword-dense content. Let the numbers do the talking.
Stephen is the co-founder and CEO of BeamJobs. He started his career in data fulfilling the dream of little kids everywhere: working for an insurance company. He then moved on to work in edtech for a company called Chegg before venturing out to start BeamJobs. Things have come a long way after countless “learnings” (fancy word for mistakes), and BeamJobs has now helped 2.5M+ people create their perfect resume. Stephen and BeamJobs have been featured on awesome sites like Business Insider, Chicago Tribune, Dallas News, Baltimore Sun, the Daily Press, Zendesk, HubSpot , and loads more.
