Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager you identify and pursue new commercial opportunities that grow your organisation's revenue and market presence. You research potential clients, build relationships with decision-makers, and negotiate contracts and partnership agreements on behalf of your employer. Day to day you analyse market trends, monitor competitors, and work closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to shape the company's growth strategy. You may also manage a pipeline of prospects using CRM systems and present proposals to senior leadership. In an Irish context this role is common across technology firms, financial services, professional services, and the broader ICT sector.

Most Business Development Manager roles in Ireland require a Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree in Business, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field from a university or technological university such as TU Dublin, UCD, or University of Galway. Relevant degree titles include Business Studies, Marketing, International Business, and Management; programmes with a strong sales or strategy component are particularly valued. A Level 9 Masters in Business Administration (MBA) or Marketing can strengthen your prospects, especially for senior positions. Some professionals reach this role through a strong sales track record, having started at Level 6 or Level 7 and progressing through industry experience rather than a postgraduate qualification. PLC courses in Business or Marketing at Level 5 can provide a stepping-stone into entry-level sales roles from which you can work upward. There is no statutory professional registration body for this occupation, though membership of bodies such as the Sales Institute of Ireland or a Chartered Marketing qualification can add credibility.