Crafting a CV that simultaneously showcases your strategic planning acumen and your prowess in fostering robust client relationships is a key challenge for a business development executive. Our guide will provide you with tailored tips and industry-specific language that can highlight your unique skill set, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
Land the job of your dreams with our bespoke guide on how to:
- Design and format your professional business development executive CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading business development executive CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your business development executive CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Resume examples for business development executive
Explore additional business development executive cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Business Development Executive
- Clear and Structured Content - The CV is organized with crisp sections that make navigation effortless. It employs bullet points to convey details succinctly, ensuring that each piece of information is accessible and easy to read. This clarity and structure facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the candidate’s qualifications and achievements, making the document both professional and approachable.
- Illustrates Career Growth and Industry Shifts - The CV traces a progressive career trajectory, evidencing the candidate's growth through multiple promotions from junior to senior roles. It also highlights strategic industry shifts that align with emerging market trends, demonstrating the candidate’s ability to adapt and succeed in various business environments.
- Emphasizes Unique Industry-Specific Tools - In the technical section, the CV showcases proficiency in specialized tools and methodologies that are crucial to the candidate's field. This includes advanced knowledge of industry-specific software and practices, underscoring the candidate’s technical depth and reinforcing their suitability for roles requiring specific niche expertise.
Junior Business Development Executive
- Efficiently Structured Content - The CV features a streamlined structure that maximizes readability with well-defined sections such as education, skills, experience, and certifications. Each section is clearly marked, ensuring a smooth navigation experience while showcasing the candidate’s qualifications without overwhelming detail.
- Dynamic Career Growth - The candidate's career progression reveals a dynamic trajectory, with evident promotions from entry-level to managerial positions within the same industry. This growth indicates not only their commitment to their field but also the recognition of their contributions and leadership potential.
- Industry-Specific Proficiency in Tools - The CV highlights proficiency in industry-specific tools such as Tableau, SAP, and Salesforce, underscoring the candidate's technical depth and readiness to leverage advanced software solutions to enhance productivity and streamline operations. This expertise caters directly to roles requiring specialized knowledge.
Lead Business Development Executive
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is formatted with clear headings and bullet points, making it easy to navigate through Oscar's professional history. Every section is concise yet detailed, ensuring that the key points, such as career progressions and crucial achievements, stand out to potential employers.
- Diverse Career Growth and Progression - Oscar's career demonstrates significant upward mobility, transitioning from an Account Manager at Sky to a Territory Sales Manager at Virgin Media Business. These roles reflect a steady growth in responsibilities, indicating a capacity for leadership and an increasing influence in the field sales and business development sectors.
- Rich Experience in Cross-Functional Collaboration - Oscar’s ability to work with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and enhance sales outcomes is a highlight. This adaptability to work across departments, such as with marketing and operations, showcases a comprehensive understanding of broader business operations, enhancing his effectiveness as a sales executive.
Entry-Level Business Development Executive
- Dynamic Career Growth - Harry Williams' CV illustrates a clear trajectory of professional growth in the sales and business development sector. Starting as a Sales Consultant and progressively advancing to Senior Sales Executive and then to Business Development Manager, this consistent elevation underscores his ability to deliver results and assume greater responsibilities over time.
- Incorporation of AI and Automation - One standout aspect of Harry's CV is his involvement with AI and automation solutions. His contributions in leveraging AI tools to enhance client operations and integrate AI bots for boosting automation highlight his technical prowess and forward-thinking approach in using technology to enhance business efficiency.
- Achievements with Clear Business Impact - The CV effectively details achievements with clear business relevance, going beyond mere numbers to emphasize impact. For instance, spearheading AI initiatives which led to significant efficiency improvements and strategic sales growth plans resulting in increased market share illustrate how his actions directly influenced business outcomes.
By Role
Business Development Executive in Information Technology
- Strategic Career Development and Growth - Ruby Gibson’s CV showcases a well-planned career progression, transitioning from a Healthcare IT Solutions Executive to a Senior Business Development Manager within nearly a decade. This indicates not just steady professional growth, but also a focused expertise in the healthcare IT sector, underpinned by progressive leadership roles.
- Clear and Concise Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a clear manner, with well-defined sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is concise but informative, offering quick insights into the candidate's qualifications and successes. Bullet points provide easily digestible details without overwhelming the reader.
- Industry-Specific Expertise in Federal Healthcare IT - The document emphasizes Ruby's unique skills in federal healthcare IT, specifically her experience with Salesforce and federal procurement processes. Such industry-specific knowledge highlights her capability to deliver tailored IT solutions, vital for enhancing the efficiency and outcomes for healthcare agencies.
Business Development Executive in Healthcare
- Strategic Career Progression - Samuel Campbell's CV clearly outlines a strategic and deliberate career path within the healthcare staffing sector. Starting as a Business Development Executive and advancing to Business Development Manager demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory, suggesting both growth and commitment to the industry. This path highlights his increasing responsibilities and success in leadership roles.
- Focused Industry Expertise - The CV emphasizes Samuel's deep understanding of the healthcare staffing industry. From targeting client outreach strategies to optimizing CRM systems, the CV showcases a blend of practical experience and industry-specific methodologies. This focus underlines his capacity to deliver specialized, high-impact results in a niche market.
- Quantifiable Achievements with Impact - Each role in the experience section is supported by concrete accomplishments that not only show numerical success but also the business impact. Achievements like a 30% increase in client acquisition or a £1.5M contract negotiation illustrate his ability to drive revenue and company growth, making him a valuable asset to a potential employer.
International Business Development Executive
- Structured Experience with Industry-Specific Expertise - Elsie Murray’s CV is meticulously structured, presenting experience in a clear and concise manner that emphasizes her expertise in the London reinsurance market. The roles are defined with specific achievements, showcasing her ability to interpret complex insurance policies and manage high-value claims efficiently.
- Broad Skill Set Demonstrates Versatility and Leadership - The CV emphasizes a wide range of skills including loss adjusting, claims management, and business development, paired with outstanding soft skills such as communication and organizational prowess. Her ability to lead workshops and manage cross-functional teams highlights her leadership and instructional capabilities.
- Diverse Achievements Highlight Impactful Contributions - Elsie showcases a series of significant achievements that have had a direct impact on business outcomes, such as revenue growth and improved client retention. The CV articulates these achievements in the context of strategic development and market insights, demonstrating tangible business benefits beyond mere numbers.
Business Development Executive in Manufacturing
- Impressive Career Progression - Leo Brown's CV illustrates a robust career trajectory, showcasing a progression from a Business Development Executive at GSK to a Director of Business Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb. This growth highlights Leo's ability to take on increasing responsibilities and adapt to complex roles within the biotech industry.
- Combination of Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV effectively demonstrates Leo's soft skills, such as client relationship management and strategic business development, paired with leadership qualities like spearheading cross-functional teams. These capabilities are critical for a role that requires both managing relationships and driving sales success in biotech.
- Strategic Achievements with Direct Impact - Leo's achievements section is particularly impactful, as it doesn't only focus on numbers but also on business relevance. Increasing client retention by 30% and generating £2 million in additional sales are presented as strategic objectives that led to significant business growth, showcasing their profound impact on the companies Leo worked for.
Business Development Executive in E-commerce
- Structured Presentation with Comprehensive Sections - The CV is well-organized, beginning with a concise summary that effectively sets the stage for the candidate's expertise in business development. Each section presents information in a clear, structured manner, ensuring that potential employers can quickly grasp key details such as experience, education, and skills. This clarity is crucial for high-level roles like Business Development Manager, where quick decision-making and strategic insight are paramount.
- Demonstrated Career Growth Across Leading Tech Companies - Archie Clark's career trajectory displays a clear pattern of growth and responsibility, progressing from a Sales Executive role at VMware to a Business Development Manager at Cisco Systems. The roles exhibit increasing levels of responsibility, highlighting the candidate's ability to adapt to new challenges and ascend within competitive tech environments. This growth is indicative of leadership qualities and strategic acumen valuable in management positions.
- Quantifiable Achievements Reflecting Strategic Impact - The CV highlights significant, measurable achievements that underscore the candidate's impact on business performance. Examples such as achieving a 35% revenue increase at Cisco Systems and a 30% market share growth with Dell Technologies illustrate a direct, positive influence on company objectives. Such achievements not only demonstrate competence but also a results-driven mindset that aligns with strategic business goals.
Business Development Executive in Financial Services
- Strategic Career Progression - Alice Barnes demonstrates a strategic career progression within the legal and finance sectors, moving from a coordinator role to a senior executive position. This upward trajectory indicates the development of her skills and the recognition of her contributions to business development over time.
- Clear Impact in Metrics and Achievements - The CV is clear and impactful in showcasing measurable achievements that align with business goals. With specific references to increasing client onboarding by 30%, enhancing pitch win rates by 25%, and securing business deals worth £3 million, her contributions directly correlate to business growth and revenue.
- Industry-Specific Expertise and Tool Use - Alice Barnes’s background in business development within the finance and legal sectors is supported by her proficiency in specialized tools like InterAction. Her education, focused certifications, and hands-on experience in financial products and services highlight her technical depth and readiness to drive strategic initiatives.
Business Development Executive in Retail
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is structured logically, beginning with a succinct summary that captures the essence of Edward Mitchell’s expertise and achievements in sales. The sections are well-organized, ensuring that key information, such as job roles and achievements, is easily accessible. This clarity and conciseness enhance communication of the candidate's value to potential employers.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Edward Mitchell’s career demonstrates a clear upward trajectory. Starting as a Sales Account Executive, he has progressed to Senior Account Executive, indicating continuous growth and promotions. His career has been concentrated within the data and subscription sales sectors, showcasing a focused development in a specialized industry.
- Noteworthy Industry-Specific Achievements - The CV highlights significant industry-specific achievements, such as developing strategic upselling initiatives that led to a 30% revenue increase. These accomplishments reflect a deep understanding of the subscription and data sales domain, aligning with enterprise retail needs and demonstrating valuable contributions to company success.
Business Development Executive in Logistics
- Structured and Concise Presentation - Edward Mitchell's CV is well-organized, presenting information in a clear and concise manner. Each section is distinct and relevant, enabling easy navigation through his professional history, educational background, skills, and achievements, allowing hiring managers to efficiently assess his qualifications.
- Robust Career Trajectory - The CV highlights a significant career progression from a Shipping Operations Specialist to a Commercial Analyst, showcasing a journey through high-profile companies in the shipping and logistics industries. This trajectory reflects an increasing level of responsibility and expertise, highlighting Mitchell’s capability to advance and adapt in challenging roles.
- Industry-Specific Expertise and Achievements - The CV details Edward’s deep industry knowledge, particularly in shipping and logistics. Key achievements like reducing lead times by 15% at DPDHL and contributing to a 10% revenue increase at Maersk with improved tariff structures illustrate his ability to apply technical skills to drive measurable business growth and operational efficiency.
Business Development Executive in Energy
- Structured and Easy to Navigate - The CV is impressively structured, with clearly defined sections that cater to an easy navigation experience. It presents content in a logical order, starting with a summary that encapsulates the candidate's core competencies and extends into a detailed career history. This layout allows potential employers to quickly assess the candidate's suitability for the role, thanks to concise but comprehensive bullet points summarizing responsibilities and achievements.
- Evident Career Progression and Consistency - Alexander Jackson’s career trajectory reveals consistent growth within the energy consultancy sector, starting from an Account Executive to a Senior Business Development Executive. Each position adds layers of responsibilities and achievements, reflecting his upward mobility and capacity to take on more complex roles. This provides a narrative of personal and professional development, which is appealing to employers looking for candidates with proven commitment and growth in their careers.
- Distinguished by Client and Market-Focused Achievements - The CV is rich in industry-specific achievements that illustrate Alexander’s impact on business revenue and client satisfaction. Examples include leading teams to exceed sales targets by 40%, implementing CRM enhancements, and negotiating key partnerships that expanded market outreach. These accomplishments aren't just numbers; they demonstrate strategic thinking and effective execution that directly influenced business growth, making the CV impactful in showcasing business relevance.
Business Development Executive in Education
- Structured Presentation and Coherent Layout - The CV is meticulously organized with sections that clearly delineate different aspects of William's professional journey. The use of concise bullet points for each experience detail enhances readability and ensures that key achievements are communicated effectively without overwhelming the reader.
- Demonstrates Progressive Career Growth - William's career trajectory showcases a consistent climb in responsibilities and titles, from a Business Development Coordinator to a Sales Executive. Each position demonstrates an expansion in scope and influence, reflecting a successful track record within the competitive field of education and publishing.
- Emphasis on Tangible Business Impact - The CV is rich with quantifiable achievements that not only highlight William’s contributions to revenue and client satisfaction but also provide insight into his capacity for driving essential business outcomes. These accomplishments, such as increasing area sales and reducing sales cycle time, underscore his effectiveness and impact in roles that drive business development and client engagement.
Business Development Executive in Tourism
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - The CV is well-organized into sections that succinctly present Ella Bennett's qualifications. Each section, from experience to education, is straightforward and easy to navigate, allowing readers to quickly grasp her professional journey and achievements.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Ella's career showcases a clear progression from a Sales Representative to a Senior Business Development Manager within six years. This upward mobility illustrates her capability to assume greater responsibilities and her dedication to professional growth in the competitive travel industry.
- Strategic Use of CRM Tools - Ella's proficiency with CRM software such as Salesforce and HubSpot is a standout feature in her CV. Her ability to leverage these tools for enhancing customer engagement and tracking client interactions highlights a valuable industry-specific skill that can significantly drive business growth.
Business Development Executive in Agriculture
- Comprehensive Experience in Sales and Energy Solutions - The CV effectively presents a rich background in business development within the energy sector, charting a trajectory of increasing responsibility from Sales Coordinator to Business Development Executive. This upward movement indicates a capacity for taking on more complex and substantial roles over time.
- Technical Integration and CRM Optimization - Jacob's proficiency in CRM systems is a standout feature, revealing an ability to enhance sales processes and improve tracking and efficiency. His leadership in CRM system implementation at Centrica demonstrates not just technical ability, but also a strategic view on process improvement in sales environments.
- Cross-Functional Skills and Client-Centric Approach - The CV highlights Jacob's capability to collaborate cross-functionally with marketing and sales teams to drive sales growth. His skills in developing tailored proposals and marketing strategies emphasize adaptability and a strong client-focused approach, critical for success in the business development and sales strategy realm.
Business Development Executive in Real Estate
- Shows clear progression and industry expertise - Jack Taylor's career trajectory showcases steady progression through increasing responsibilities, from Real Estate Consultant to Business Development Manager. His experience in renowned companies like Savills and Hamptons International highlights his deep expertise and leadership within the real estate industry.
- Emphasizes innovation and strategic achievements - The CV effectively details Jack's strategic impact, such as developing a CRM pipeline management system that boosted lead tracking efficiency by 40% and introducing new outbound strategies that increased leads by 25%. These accomplishments signify his ability to drive innovation and enhance business operations.
- Strong focus on networking and client relations - With a proven track record in networking and client relationship management, including a 15% rise in referral clients, the CV underscores Jack's ability to cultivate valuable relationships. This skill is vital for his role in business development and aligns well with his passion for community engagement.
Business Development Executive in Telecommunications
- Comprehensive Career Growth and Industry Insight - Harper Webb's CV outlines a robust career trajectory, clearly detailing their progression from a Sales Executive to a Senior Business Development Executive. This consistent advancement reflects not only a commitment to professional development but also a deep understanding of the business development sector, including strategic sales and networking proficiencies, evident in their key contributions to major firms like Mercer and Willis Towers Watson.
- Effective Use of Impactful Metrics - The CV adeptly employs specific, quantifiable achievements such as exceeding £500k in revenue generation and consistently surpassing sales targets by 150%. These metrics are not just about numbers; they highlight Webb's proficiency in driving substantial business impact, showcasing the ability to enhance client understanding and trust, which is essential in strategic sales roles.
- Segmented Skillset and Leadership - The document comprehensively covers a wide range of pertinent skills, demonstrating a balance of strategic sales expertise and leadership abilities. Webb’s management of a team and implementation of training programs illustrate their capacity to lead and develop future sales professionals. The inclusion of soft skills like communication and relationship building further accentuates the CV's comprehensiveness in addressing the multifaceted demands of a Business Development Executive.
Business Development Executive in Hospitality
- Clear and structured content presentation - The CV is presented with clarity and conciseness, divided into distinct sections that make it easy to navigate. Each section effectively highlights the candidate's skills and experience, ensuring that key information such as accomplishments, roles, and educational background are easily accessible.
- Illustrates a dynamic career progression - The candidate's career trajectory is impressive, demonstrating purposeful growth and promotions within the energy sector. Starting as an Energy Sales Executive and advancing to a Senior Business Development Manager, the progression underscores the candidate's adaptability and increasing responsibilities over time.
- Emphasizes industry-specific expertise and tools - This CV showcases a deep understanding of energy procurement and related technologies. The candidate effectively uses advanced auction platforms and data analytics to drive client savings, demonstrating technical depth in managing energy contracts and a solid grasp of industry-specific methodologies.
Business Development Executive in Digital Marketing
- Strategic Growth in Career Trajectory - Theodore Green's career progression from a Marketing Assistant to an Executive role demonstrates significant professional growth and the ability to handle increasing responsibilities. Each position offered new challenges and opportunities that prepared him for leadership roles, with his tenure at prominent law firms underscoring his expertise in the legal sector’s nuances.
- Integration of Advanced Tools and Methodologies - The CV showcases Theodore's adeptness with CRM systems, enhancing client interaction tracking efficiency and providing quantifiable improvements. This technical depth is crucial for a role that involves client engagement and event management, highlighting his capability to use industry-specific tools effectively to achieve desired outcomes.
- Impressive Achievements with Business Impact - Theodore's accomplishments go beyond numbers, focusing on impact, such as enhancing brand visibility by 35% and growing regional market share by 30% through strategic initiatives. These achievements show his capability to contribute significantly to an organization’s growth, aligning project goals with broader business objectives to maximize outcomes.
Structuring and formatting your business development executive CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your business development executive CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:
- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
PRO TIP
For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a business development executive CV
- Professional Summary highlights career achievements, indicating expertise in business development and the ability to drive growth.
- Core Competencies section showcases specific business development skills such as market analysis, strategic planning, and relationship management.
- Professional Experience details past roles and successful projects, underlining experience in client acquisition and partnership building.
- Key Achievements spotlight quantifiable successes such as revenue growth or market share expansion, emphasising impact.
- Education and Professional Development present relevant degrees and training, affirming the knowledge base in the field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your ability to identify and develop new business opportunities by showcasing successful partnerships or deals you've initiated and closed, including the financial impact of your actions.
- Feature your expertise in strategic planning by describing your experience in creating effective business plans or sales strategies that have resulted in revenue growth or market expansion.
- Emphasise your communication and negotiation skills by providing examples of complex contracts you've negotiated or high-level relationships you've fostered with stakeholders, clients, or partners.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of market analysis and competitive intelligence by outlining your experience in using these insights to inform business decisions or strategy adjustments.
- Include metrics and quantifiable achievements, such as percentage growth in sales or the number of new accounts secured, to provide a tangible measure of your contributions to business development.
Recommended reads:
How to present your contact details and job keywords in your business development executive CV header
Located at the top of your business development executive CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for business development executive:
- Business Development Executive | Strategic Planning Specialist | MBA | 8+ Years of Market Expansion Experience
- Senior Business Development Lead | Expert in International Sales | Negotiation Pro | 10+ Years in Tech Sector
- Junior Business Development Officer | B2B Relationship Builder | Social Media Savvy | Recent Graduate with Honours
- Business Growth Strategist | Lead Generation Expert | P&L Management | 5 Years Driving Revenue Growth
- Key Account Manager | SAAS Sales Professional | Certified Negotiator | Bringing 7 Years of Proven Results
- Client Acquisition Specialist | Innovative Campaign Designer | BA Hons Business Management | 3+ Years of Dynamic Sales Career
Opting between a business development executive CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your business development executive CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a business development executive job:
- Seasoned Business Development Executive with 10 years' experience in IT solutions. Led a team that achieved a 150% increase in annual revenue. Specialises in market penetration strategies and key account management. Proficient in CRM software and fluent in French and Spanish.
- Dynamic Sales Leader with over 8 years' expertise in the pharmaceutical industry. Successfully expanded market share by 35% through strategic partnerships. Adept in negotiation, team building, and in-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance. Spearheaded a nationally recognized product launch.
- Ambitious financial analyst eager to apply analytical skills to new challenges in business development. Transferring 5 years of experience in investment banking, bringing in-depth knowledge of market trends and financial modelling, along with a proven record in portfolio management.
- Results-oriented Project Manager transitioning into business development, bringing 7 years of experience in engineering, with a flair for creating compelling proposals. Expertise in project lifecycle management and a passion for driving business success in technology sectors.
- Looking to leverage my enthusiasm for relationship-building and keen market insight as an entry-level Business Development Executive. Driven to learn quickly and contribute to achieving sales targets, armed with a recent MBA degree and an impressive track record in University-level business competitions.
- Recent marketing graduate with a strong academic background in market analysis and a commitment to pursuing a career in business development. Eager to apply theoretical knowledge and creative problem-solving skills to help a dynamic team exceed its sales and growth objectives.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your business development executive CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Identified and pursued new business opportunities in targeted markets, leading to a 25% increase in client acquisition over a two-year period.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop customised proposals, resulting in a 15% improvement in proposal conversion rates.
- Managed a portfolio of key accounts, fostering long-term relationships which enhanced repeat business by 30%.
- Utilised CRM software to track client interactions and sales pipeline, ensuring accurate forecasting and a 20% reduction in sales cycle duration.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with major clients, securing deals that accounted for 35% of the company's annual revenue.
- Conducted market research to stay abreast of industry trends and competitor activities, informing strategic planning and market entry strategies.
- Delivered persuasive presentations at industry events and trade shows, effectively enhancing brand awareness and generating a 40% uptick in qualified leads.
- Coordinated with the marketing team to develop targeted campaigns, which expanded market share in key segments by 22%.
- Implemented sales training for new recruits, improving team performance and productivity by 25% within six months.
Senior Business Development Executive
Senior Business Development Executive
TechNova Solutions
03/2019-Ongoing
- Led a team-focused initiative to penetrate new markets internationally, increasing overall market share by 15% within the first year.
- Developed strategic partnerships with 5 industry-leading firms that complemented our service offerings, enhancing our product suite and increasing revenue by £2M.
- Spearheaded a digital transformation project that implemented CRM solutions across the sales department, boosting productivity by 30% and sales conversion rates by 22%.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager
GlobalLink Enterprises
05/2015-12/2018
- Orchestrated the launch of a new flagship product which captured a 25% market share within its first year and drove a revenue increase of £1.5M.
- Managed a portfolio of 50+ key accounts resulting in a sustained revenue growth rate of 20% annually through consistent engagement and upselling strategies.
- Initiated a cross-functional collaboration with the marketing and product development teams which led to the identification and closure of a £700K deal with a major enterprise client.
Business Development Specialist
Business Development Specialist
Innovatech Ltd
11/2012-04/2015
- Drove the regional sales campaign for new software products contributing to a 30% YOY revenue growth for the software division.
- Coordinated a customer-focused strategy that resulted in a 40% increase in customer retention over a 2-year span.
- Implemented market research tools to gather data on competitor strategies, which guided the reshaping of our own market approach and resulted in a 15% increase in competitive win-rate.
Lead Business Development Officer
Lead Business Development Officer
Fintech Innovations PLC
07/2017-02/2022
- Pioneered a new SaaS partnership programme which secured 10+ long-term partners within its first year, increasing the indirect sales channel revenue by 35%.
- Restructured the sales pipeline, improving lead qualification processes and reducing the sales cycle length by 20%, thus accelerating revenue recognition.
- Championed an account-based marketing initiative that resulted in a 50% uptake in premium-tier products amongst our top accounts.
Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate
MarketSphere Analytics
02/2009-06/2014
- Realised a 200% increase in annual revenue by formulating and executing a new B2B sales strategy for our bespoke software solutions.
- Delivered a custom training programme for new recruits, elevating the team's sales proficiency and contributing to a 25% improvement in sales performance across the board.
- Executed detailed market analysis that identified and tapped into three underserved niches, yielding an additional £300K in revenue streams.
Enterprise Business Development Professional
Enterprise Business Development Professional
Quantum Corp
08/2016-11/2021
- Cultivated relationships with C-level executives resulting in successfully closing deals averaging £500K, which was a 50% increase over the prior average deal size.
- Implemented a revamped sales presentation directly addressing client pain-points, contributing to a closure rate improvement of 30% for large accounts.
- Led the due diligence and negotiation process for a merger with a competitor that successfully expanded the company's product line and customer base.
International Business Development Lead
International Business Development Lead
Strategic Growth Consulting
01/2013-05/2017
- Expanded the company's operations into four new international markets, increasing global revenue streams by over £3M within two fiscal years.
- Orchestrated a licensing deal with a local distributor in the Middle East, which significantly lowered the barrier to entry and generated a 200% ROI.
- Negotiated and secured a £2M government contract for our consulting services, anchoring our position in the public sector market.
Digital Business Development Strategist
Digital Business Development Strategist
E-Tech Dynamics
04/2021-Ongoing
- Created and led a digital marketing campaign for e-commerce partnerships, which drove an increase of 40% in partner-driven sales within the first six months.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive SEO and content marketing strategy that elevated our website traffic by 150% and qualified leads by 80%.
- Facilitated the adoption of AI-driven analytics tools for sales forecasting, resulting in a 25% decrease in stock surplus and enhanced supply chain efficiency.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your business development executive CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your business development executive CV:
HARD SKILLS
Lead Generation
Market Research
Sales Strategy Development
Financial Modelling
CRM Software Proficiency
Contract Negotiation
Analytical Skills
Proposal Writing
Product Knowledge
Marketing Techniques
SOFT SKILLS
Networking Abilities
Communication
Persuasion
Strategic Thinking
Adaptability
Problem-Solving
Project Management
Team Collaboration
Initiative
Time Management
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Further professional qualifications for your business development executive CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your business development executive CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional business development executive CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
