What the role actually covers
Business development sits upstream of transactional sales: opening new segments, building partnerships and shaping proposals that do not yet have a defined product fit. The cycle is longer, the work is more consultative, and the wrong hire here is someone who is excellent at closing but uncomfortable operating without a script.
- Identifying and opening new market segments or partner channels
- Building relationships with decision-makers over a longer cycle
- Preparing proposals, pricing scenarios and tender responses
- Working with management to shape the offer around what the market wants
What has to be true on day one
Separate these from what a good candidate can learn in a few weeks — over-specifying is the fastest way to a brief that returns nobody.
- Experience carrying a longer sales cycle, not only transactional closing
- Written proposal and presentation ability
- Judgement about which opportunities are worth pursuing
How to assess the shortlist
Give a short written exercise: a one-page approach to a named target segment, including how they would get the first meeting. This separates people who can genuinely structure an approach from people who interview well.
The mistake employers make most often
Hiring a BD executive when the business actually needs volume sales. If your product has a defined price and a short cycle, you want a sales executive at a lower cost and faster ramp-up. Be honest about which you need.
Salary in the twin cities
PKR 50,000 – PKR 120,000 / month is the typical range for this role in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Base salary, commonly with a performance component tied to opened accounts rather than immediate revenue.
Treat this as a starting benchmark, not a fixed figure. Actual rates move with experience, the specific brief and how competitive the skill is at the time of hiring.
Hiring by city
Frequently asked questions
What does a business development executive do?
Business development sits upstream of transactional sales: opening new segments, building partnerships and shaping proposals that do not yet have a defined product fit. The cycle is longer, the work is more consultative, and the wrong hire here is someone who is excellent at closing but uncomfortable operating without a script.
What should we look for when hiring a business development executive?
Experience carrying a longer sales cycle, not only transactional closing. Written proposal and presentation ability. Judgement about which opportunities are worth pursuing.
How do we assess a business development executive?
Give a short written exercise: a one-page approach to a named target segment, including how they would get the first meeting. This separates people who can genuinely structure an approach from people who interview well.
What is the most common mistake hiring this role?
Hiring a BD executive when the business actually needs volume sales. If your product has a defined price and a short cycle, you want a sales executive at a lower cost and faster ramp-up. Be honest about which you need.
What salary should we budget for a business development executive in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
PKR 50,000 – PKR 120,000 / month is the typical range for this role in the twin cities. Base salary, commonly with a performance component tied to opened accounts rather than immediate revenue. Confirm the current market rate against your specific brief rather than treating this as a fixed figure.
What does Staffly charge?
The standard direct-placement fee is one month of the agreed salary, payable when you hire. Your business pays the salary separately and employs the person directly. Every placement carries a written 6-month replacement guarantee, subject to its conditions.