Discover top remote business development jobs, tips to land them, and how to thrive in a flexible, location-free BD career.
Let me take you back a few years. I was sitting in a crowded metro vehicle with a wrinkled suit and a tepid coffee in one hand and my laptop bag between my knees. The work seemed to go on forever. I enjoyed business development, the excitement of the pitch and the joy of closing a deal, but the 9-to-5 grind? Not really. At that point, I vowed myself that I would find a way to accomplish what I loved without having to work in an office. Spoiler alert: I did it. And now I want to help you do the same by showing you how to work abroad remotely while building a meaningful business development career.
This article will take you deep into the world of remote business development careers. There is something here for everyone, whether you are just starting out or want to change careers. Let’s get started.
Article Breakdown
What are jobs in remote business development, anyway?
The main goal of business development is to find ways for the company to grow, such as by forming partnerships, entering new markets, or getting new clients. Now take it and get rid of the walls in the office. You can do all of this from your living room, a beach in Bali, or your favorite coffee shop with Wi-Fi if you work in remote company development.
You might be emailing potential clients, talking to them on Zoom, making plans with your team on Slack for how to get to market, or keeping track of leads in a CRM platform. The magic is that you are no longer limited by where you live. There are a lot of options, whether you’re looking for a remote job in business development or a remote job in business development for a fast-growing company.
Why there is a high demand for remote BD jobs
Let’s be honest: COVID-19 changed the way people work. But even before that, businesses were starting to notice the benefits of recruiting people who worked from home:
More people with skills
- Lower costs of doing business
- More work done
And what about us job seekers?
- Don’t have to drive
- More room to move
- Finally, a balance between work and life!
Going remote makes sense, especially in business development, where relationships and results are more important than where you are.
More and more people are looking for remote business development positions that let them operate in ways that fit their careers and their lives, without having to stick to strict office hours. And now, you may discover remote work in business development at all levels, from entry-level jobs to senior leadership positions.
How I Got Started in Remote Business Development
I felt that being in the office was a must when I initially started in BD. I worked for a startup where I completed business in person, and I assumed that was the only way. But as I got tired and realized I needed some freedom, I started to look around.
I started working as a freelancer for companies, running outreach efforts from home. That led to a contract job with a SaaS startup in Europe. We never met in person, but we did business together that was worth six figures. I built up a portfolio over time and got a full-time remote business development job with a software company. It was hard, but it was worth it.
Skills You Need to Work Remotely in BD
It takes a blend of art and science to be good at business growth. Doing it from a distance merely adds a few additional steps.
1. Talking to each other
You don’t run into coworkers in the corridor. It’s important to communicate clearly and concisely through email, Slack, and Zoom.
2. Knowledge of Technology
You need to be able to use digital technologies like CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce and scheduling applications like Calendly and Zoom.
3. Self-Motivation
Working from home can make you feel alone. You have to be motivated, organized, and take action.
4. Skills in sales and negotiation
Of obviously, your main source of income. Still important are listening, pitching, getting past obstacles, and closing.
5. Ability to adapt to new cultures
You will typically work with clients and teams from all around the world. Getting to know other cultures can help you talk to people and gain their trust.
A Day in the Life of a BD Pro Who Works from Home
Here’s a basic outline of what a normal day for me looks like:
- 8:30 AM: Planning for the day over coffee
- 9:00 AM: Meeting with the marketing team to get on the same page
- 10:00 AM: Research prospects and send emails
- 12:00 PM: Walk and eat lunch
- 1:00 PM: Zoom calls with leads in Europe
- 3:00 PM: Updates to the CRM and follow-ups
- 5:00 PM: Finish up, look at the numbers, and make plans for tomorrow.
Of course, it differs based on the time zone and the stage of the agreement. But that beat? It’s mine. And that independence is worth a lot.
And here’s the best part: no matter how busy you are, remote business development jobs provide you the structure, or freedom, you need.
Where to Look for Remote Business Development Jobs
You don’t have to check LinkedIn every five minutes, but it does help! Here are some of the greatest locations to search:
1. We Work Remotely
a trusted site with a lot of remote company development tasks.
2. AngelList Talent
fantastic for startup jobs in particular.
3. Remote.co
hand-picked job postings from a range of fields.
4. FlexJobs:
You have to pay to join, but it’s a good site with no scams.
5. LinkedIn with filters
Type “Business Development” into the search bar and set the filter to “Remote.”
If you’re not ready for full-time work yet, these platforms typically include remote business development manager employment and freelance contracts.
How to Customize Your Resume for Remote BD Jobs
Your resume is like your pitch deck. It has to show off your experience and ability to work from home.
Main Point:
- Experience working from home (even if it was freelance or part-time)
- Specific accomplishments, such “Increased inbound leads by 30%”
- Knowing how to use tools (“Proficient in Salesforce, Zoom, and Slack”)
- Flexibility with time zones
And please, get rid of the generic goal phrase. Be specific.
If you want to work in remote sales or business development, your CV should say loud and clear, “I know how to work alone and still get things done.”
Doing well on the remote interview
This is what helped me get my current job:
- Test your technology: Check that your camera, microphone, and background are all good.
- Wear the right clothes: Show that you’re serious, even from home.
- Bring energy: Remote interviews can feel dull. Let your excitement show.
- Ask the relevant questions about how the team is set up, how they talk to each other, and what it’s like to work from home.
First impressions count, even through a screen, whether you’re seeking for a contract position or a more permanent remote employment in business development.
Job Titles That Are Common
Not all businesses use the same name. Watch out for:
- Business Development Representative (BDR)
- Sales Development Representative (SDR)
- Account Executive
- Partnerships Manager
- Growth Manager and Strategic
- Alliances Lead are all jobs that help businesses grow.
Some jobs are all about hunting (outbound), some are all about farming (account growth), and some are a mix of the two. Read the descriptions attentively; you might be surprised at how flexible the job’s remote arrangement is.
What Types of Businesses Hire Remote BD Roles?
A much, in brief. But here are some of the most busy areas:
- Companies that offer SaaS
- Brands that sell things online
- Tech startups that work with other businesses
- Agencies that do marketing
- Companies that give advice
- Companies that make healthtech and edtech
There is a job out there for you, whether you want to work in an entry-level position or as a remote business development manager. A lot of organizations now base their whole sales and growth teams on the ability to work from home.
How Much Can You Earn?
This is the good part. Salaries can be very different based on your experience, the field you’re in, and whether you work on commission, base, or both.
- Base pay for entry-level BDRs is $40,000 to $65,000, plus bonuses and commissions.
- Mid-level AE: $70,000 to $100,000 base salary plus a significant commission
- Senior BD jobs pay a total of $120,000 or more.
Some remote business development jobs even provide you stock options, pay for your home office setup, and let you take vacation whenever you want. Not bad for jobs that are done from home, right?
Key Takings:
- Let me be honest. Remote work isn’t a walk in the park. It takes discipline, grit, and great communication. But if you value flexibility, autonomy, and global opportunity? It’s one of the most rewarding paths out there.
- Switching to remote business development jobs changed my life. I’m closing deals from my kitchen, collaborating with global teams, and living a life that actually fits me. You can do the same.
So go ahead, dust off that resume, craft that killer cover letter, and start applying. Your dream business development remote gig might be just a few clicks away.
Additional Resources:
- Remote.co – Business Development Remote Jobs: Remote.co curates remote-only roles across industries. Their business development section features high-quality jobs along with helpful remote work insights.
- We Work Remotely – Sales & BD Jobs: One of the largest platforms for remote work, including top-tier business development, sales, and growth jobs from companies like Stripe and GitHub.
- Upwork – Freelance Business Development Gigs: A global freelance marketplace where companies hire business development pros for lead gen, market research, client outreach, and strategic sales projects.
