How to become a Business Development Manager

Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates business development and strategic partnership activities within an organisation and externally. Identifies and generates new business opportunities to further improve market share and awareness by gaining an understanding of customers' needs, and promoting goods and services to these customers. May manage some key customer accounts.

Main tasks

• Conceptualises business plans and sales strategies
• Implements market expansion and new market plans for business growth by identifying and mapping business strengths and customer needs
• Drives business growth by developing networks to attract new clients
• Researches new market opportunities, overseeing growth projects, making sales projections and forecasting revenue
• Manages and nurtures relationships with existing customers
• Researches prospects, cold calling potential customers and responding to incoming leads to increase client base
• Writes business proposals for potential customers
• Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420); Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness (AMP80115); Graduate Diploma of Agribusiness (AMP80215); Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership (BSB80320); Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420); Diploma of Nursery Management (AHC50820); Advanced Diploma of Business (BSB60120); Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication (BSB60520)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $139,204 a year
• About 165,400 people work in this job group now, and about 194,400 are projected by 2035. (+17.5%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Advertising Manager
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Communications Manager (Public Relations)

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Business Development Manager?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management; Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness.

How much does a Business Development Manager earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $139,204 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Business Development Manager a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 18% by 2035, from about 165,400 to about 194,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Business Development Manager?

Not always. 52% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management; Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness.

Will AI change the work of a Business Development Manager?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04