Leadership and fractional roles
Hire a Business Development Manager
A business development manager creates new commercial opportunities. I build the target list, the outreach and the follow-up so qualified conversations reach your sales process. It suits service businesses and B2B companies that want a repeatable way to book calls rather than relying on referrals alone.
Pricing is scoped to each project. Book a call and I will tell you what yours involves.
- 10 yearsin digital growth
- 4 marketsUK, Australia, USA and Bangladesh
- 30-60-90day plan with a written checkpoint
- 1 callto scope your project
The role
What a business development manager is and does
A business development manager is a business development manager who builds pipeline from outreach to booked calls. In my own work I define the ideal customer and build a verified target list and write outreach sequences for email and LinkedIn that open conversations. I work hands-on: I do the work myself, inside your accounts and files, and show you the output every week.
Before
Growth depends on referrals and the founder's network, and there is no steady flow of new conversations.
With me as your business development manager
- Define the ideal customer and build a verified target list
- Write outreach sequences for email and LinkedIn that open conversations
- Qualify replies and book calls into your sales calendar
- Report pipeline created and what each sequence taught us
Fit
When to hire a business development manager instead of an agency or a full-time hire
Hire a business development manager when growth depends on referrals and the founder's network, and there is no steady flow of new conversations. A lead generation specialist builds a repeatable inbound and paid flow; a business development manager works outbound, one account and one conversation at a time.
Engagement
Engagement models: fractional, retainer or project
I work as a business development manager in three ways: a fixed project, a monthly retainer, or a fractional arrangement of set days each week. The size and reachability of your target market usually decides which of the three fits.
- Fractional
I work a set number of days or hours each week as part of your team.
- Retainer
A fixed monthly scope with a review at the end of each month.
- Project
A defined deliverable with a start, an end and agreed checkpoints.
Pricing
How pricing works
The cost of hiring a business development manager depends on the size and reachability of your target market, how much of the sales process I should own after the first call, the number of channels or platforms involved, the size of the team I work with, how long we work together and how quickly you need results. I scope every engagement to your situation and do not publish rates, so you pay only for the work your business needs.
What changes the scope
The size and reachability of your target marketHow much of the sales process I should own after the first callThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of business development manager work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing business development manager work with a fixed monthly scope, reviewed every month.
- Fractional or part-time
A set number of days or hours each week, with me working inside your team.
Freelancer vs agency vs in-house for business development manager work
| Option | Speed | Control | Accountability | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (me) | Starts within days of agreeing scope | Direct access to the person doing the work | One named person answers for results | Scale up or down by month |
| Agency | Slower to start; account and delivery teams | Work passes through several people | Shared across a team and account manager | Fixed packages and notice periods |
| In-house hire | Slowest: recruiting and onboarding first | Full day-to-day control | Direct line manager, but one person covers many tasks | Long-term commitment, harder to change |
First 90 days
First 90 days: roadmap and deliverables
The first ninety days follow a fixed shape so you can see progress early. Each phase ends with a written checkpoint that we review together before the next one begins.
- Days 1-30
Define the customer, the offer and the first target list of accounts.
- Days 31-60
Launch the first outreach sequence and log every response.
- Days 61-90
Tighten messaging from replies and report booked calls and pipeline.
How I work
How I work: reporting, KPIs and management
I work hands-on: I do the work myself, inside your accounts and files, and show you the output every week. Every month I report on qualified conversations started, calls booked per month and pipeline value created, with the goal beside the actual and a clear next decision.
- Reported every monthQualified conversations started
- Reported every monthCalls booked per month
- Reported every monthPipeline value created
Proof
Case studies with numbers
These are real projects from my own records, with the first number shown exactly as it is reported in the full case study.
Choosing well
How to evaluate a business development manager
Use direct questions to judge a candidate. Strong ones answer plainly, give an example, and are comfortable saying what they would not do.
- 01
Ask for the sectors they have prospected into and the reply rates they saw.
- 02
Ask how they hand a warm lead to a salesperson.
Before the call
What to prepare before the call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
What to prepare before the call
- Your best three customers and how they found you
- Who you want to reach and in which roles
- Your current sales process and CRM
- What happens to a lead after the first call
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does a business development manager do?
As your business development manager, I define the ideal customer and build a verified target list, write outreach sequences for email and LinkedIn that open conversations, qualify replies and book calls into your sales calendar and report pipeline created and what each sequence taught us. I do the work myself and show you the output every week.
How much does it cost to hire a business development manager?
Cost depends on the size and reachability of your target market, how much of the sales process I should own after the first call, the number of channels or platforms, team size, engagement length and how quickly you need results. I scope each project individually instead of quoting a standard rate. Book a Call for a scoped quote and I will tell you exactly what your situation involves.
Freelance business development manager vs agency: which is better?
A lead generation specialist builds a repeatable inbound and paid flow; a business development manager works outbound, one account and one conversation at a time. A freelancer gives you direct access and flexible commitment; an agency adds a larger bench. Tell me what you need on a call and I will say honestly which suits you.
When should I hire a business development manager?
Hire a business development manager when growth depends on referrals and the founder's network, and there is no steady flow of new conversations. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do.
What should I ask before hiring a business development manager?
Ask for the sectors they have prospected into and the reply rates they saw. Ask how they hand a warm lead to a salesperson. Their answers matter less than whether they answer plainly, with specifics you can check. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
How long until I see results from a business development manager?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I define the customer, the offer and the first target list of accounts. By day 60 I launch the first outreach sequence and log every response. By day 90 I tighten messaging from replies and report booked calls and pipeline. We agree these checkpoints before work starts.
Fractional vs full-time: what is the difference?
A full-time hire gives daily presence and one employer's full attention. A fractional arrangement gives you senior experience for a set number of days each week, without a permanent salary or hiring risk. The right choice depends on how much leadership the business can use today and how fast it is growing.
How many hours per week does it take?
Hours depend on the size and reachability of your target market and how much of the sales process I should own after the first call. Many engagements start with a few set days or hours a week for planning and review, then adjust once the workload is clear. I agree the weekly time with you at the start and review it every month.
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