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Sales & Business Development Manager

HIGH DemandLOW AI RiskGROWING in SL· Rs.110k+ /mo

Sales & BD Manager is the commercial pinnacle for people who build revenue and lead teams. At this level, you are defining the business strategy for growth, owning major client relationships, and accountable for the company's revenue line. Enormously rewarding for driven commercial leaders — and one of the fastest routes to an MD or CCO role in Sri Lanka.”

About This Role

Focuses on identifying new business opportunities and driving revenue through strategic client partnerships.

A Day in the Life

You own the commercial growth strategy for a business unit or company — setting the sales vision, leading the BD team, building strategic partnerships, and driving sustainable revenue growth.

  • Develop and own the annual sales strategy and business development plan
  • Lead and manage the full sales team across channels (direct, digital, partner)
  • Drive C-level client relationships and own strategic accounts personally
  • Identify, develop, and close strategic partnership and distribution agreements
  • Review sales pipeline health and coach senior sales leads on deal strategy
  • Report commercial KPIs to the CEO / MD and Board — revenue, market share, CAC, LTV
  • Lead new product or service go-to-market launches from a commercial perspective
  • Build business cases for entering new markets or launching new products

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: MEDIUMBUSINESS CASUALRemote: MEDIUM

Senior commercial leadership role in a medium to large organisation. In Sri Lanka, Sales & BD Managers are found at Dialog, Unilever, John Keells IT, Brandix, IronOne Technologies, and any significant B2B or B2C business. Significant client-facing time, travel, and executive involvement.

Typical hours: 55h/week · WLB score 4/10 · COMMON overtime

Senior sales leadership is demanding. C-suite client relationships, travel, evening events, and board-level reporting create sustained high-workload environments.

Skills Required

Required

Business Development & PartnershipsSales Management

Preferred

LeadershipNegotiation

Technical Skills

Commercial strategySales team managementBusiness developmentPartnership developmentRevenue forecastingP&L management basicsGo-to-market execution

Soft Skills

Executive leadershipCommercial acumenC-suite negotiationStrategic thinkingTeam buildingPersuasion at board level

Tools & Software

CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot)Power BI (revenue dashboards)Microsoft OfficeERP (SAP, Oracle)LinkedIn Sales NavigatorMarket intelligence tools

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.180k – Rs.320k/mo
Mid-LevelRs.320k – Rs.600k/mo
SeniorRs.600k – Rs.1200k/mo
Entry: Sales & BD Lead / Senior BD ManagerMid: Sales & Business Development ManagerSenior: VP Sales / Commercial Director / Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

Typical progression: 10yr to mid · 15yr to senior

Sales Executive → BD Lead → Sales & BD Manager → VP Sales → CCO / MD.

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$100k – $150k/yr
Mid-Level$150k – $220k/yr
Senior$220k – $400k/yr

Top Markets

UAESingaporeUKUSAAustralia

Market Outlook

GROWING

Always in demand — every growing company needs commercial leadership. Senior BD Managers with a proven revenue track record in Sri Lanka are heavily recruited.

Hiring: LOW

Dialog AxiataUnilever Sri LankaMAS HoldingsJohn Keells HoldingsIronOne TechnologiesBrandixSoftlogic Group

GROWING

Commercial leadership roles are among the most sought globally — every company needs revenue growth. Strong SaaS and tech sector demand for remote BD leaders.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBachelor's in Business, Marketing, or Engineering; MBA strongly preferred at this level
Experience10+ years in sales or business development, including P&L responsibility

Preferred

MBA (Marketing / Strategy)CIM Professional DiplomaExecutive leadership programme

Global

Min. EducationBachelor's in Business; MBA from reputable institution preferred
Experience12+ years with demonstrated commercial P&L ownership

Preferred

MBA (top-tier)CIM FellowshipExecutive coaching qualification

Helpful Certifications

MBA (Strategy / Marketing)CIM Professional DiplomaCertified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP)Executive coaching / leadership programme

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: LOWRemote: MEDIUMCapital: LOW

Freelance earnings: $100–$300/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

Direct referrals at executive level

Business Ideas

  • Commercial growth consultancy
  • Sales organisation design and training firm
  • Fractional CCO service for growth-stage startups

Side Income Ideas

Fractional CCO/advisor for startupsCommercial strategy workshopsRevenue coaching for founder-led businesses

Significant demand from SL startups and SMEs that need senior commercial leadership on a fractional or advisory basis.

Risks & Challenges

AI Replacement Risk

LOW

LONG TERM

Burnout Risk

HIGH

Job Security (SL)

HIGH

Senior BD and commercial strategy requires human relationships, board-level credibility, complex partnership negotiation, and organisational leadership that AI cannot replicate. Technology tools assist but do not replace this role.

Burnout Causes

Sustained high performance expectation from BoardManaging underperforming teams and missed targetsC-level relationship demands outside office hoursResponsibility for revenue growth of the entire business

Physical Health Risks

Frequent business travel fatigueClient entertainment excessSustained high-stress environment

Mental Health Risks

Responsibility for revenue performanceLeadership accountability for team resultsSustained high-performance expectation

How to Mitigate

  • Build a documented portfolio of revenue achievements with specific numbers
  • Develop technology and data analytics skills to complement commercial instincts
  • Network actively at SLASSCOM, SLIM, and CIM Sri Lanka for executive community access

Is This Career For You?

High-performing sales professionals (10+ years) with a track record of revenue achievement who want to move into executive commercial leadership. Suits driven, strategic, politically astute individuals with strong executive presence and a passion for business building.

Personality Types

ENTJENTPESTP

Core Motivations

Revenue growthBusiness buildingTeam and commercial leadershipCompetitive success

What You'll Love

  • Among the highest-earning roles in Sri Lankan corporate sector
  • Direct link between your work and company success
  • Executive credibility and influence at Board level

What's Challenging

  • Unrelenting performance pressure
  • Entire commercial output of the business rests on your decisions
  • Long hours and frequent travel required

How to Qualify in Sri Lanka

View all paths →

University Degrees (20)

Browse all →
Masters in Business Administration - MBAAcademy of International Business - AIB
⏱ 1.0
Bachelor of Business Management (Hons)Benedict XVI Catholic Institute of Higher Education
⏱ 4.0Rs.350k/yr
Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA)Cambridge College of Business & Management - CCBM
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Cambridge College of Business & Management - CCBM
UK Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (Postgraduate Diploma)CCHE - Chester College of Higher Education
⏱ 1.0
BA (Hons) in Business AdministrationCIIHE - Colombo International Institute of Higher Education
⏱ 2.0
Master of Business AdministrationColombo International Nautical and Engineering College
⏱ 1.5Rs.750k/yr
Management Studies (TV)Eastern University, Sri LankaGov
⏱ 3.0
Management Studies (TV)Eastern University, Sri LankaGov
⏱ 3.0
Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management & LeadershipGlobal Technological Campus - GTC
⏱ 0.7
BA (Hons) in Business ManagementInformatics Institute of Technology - IIT
⏱ 4.0
Executive MBAPostgraduate Institute of Management - PIM
⏱ 1.0
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Postgraduate Institute of Management - PIM
⏱ 2.0
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Regent Institute for Higher Studies - RIHS
Bachelor of Business Management (Hons)Saegis Campus
⏱ 4.0Rs.350k/yr
Master of Business AdministrationSri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
⏱ 2.0Rs.900k/yr
Bachelor of Business Management (Hons)Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy
⏱ 4.0Rs.350k/yr
Management Studies (TV)University of VavuniyaGov
⏱ 4.0
Management Studies (TV)University of VavuniyaGov
⏱ 4.0
Bachelor of Business Management - Flinders UniversityYork Graduate Campus - YGC
⏱ 1.0

At a Glance

SL Salary (entry)Rs.180k – Rs.320k/mo
SL Salary (senior)Rs.600k – Rs.1200k/mo
Global (senior)$220k – $400k/yr
SL DemandGROWING
WLB Score4/10
Hours/week~55h
Remote WorkMEDIUM

AI Replacement Risk

LOW

LONG TERM

Sectors

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

You own the commercial growth strategy for a business unit or company — setting the sales vision, leading the BD team, building strategic partnerships, and driving sustainable revenue growth.

To become a Sales & Business Development Manager in Sri Lanka, you typically need Bachelor's in Business, Marketing, or Engineering; MBA strongly preferred at this level. Relevant degree programmes include: Masters in Business Administration - MBA, Bachelor of Business Management (Hons), Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA). Explore step-by-step career roadmaps contributed by Sri Lankan Sales & Business Development Managers at paths.lk/career-paths/sales-business-development-manager.

In Sri Lanka, a Sales & Business Development Manager earns LKR 180k–LKR 320k/month at entry level, LKR 320k–LKR 600k/month at mid-level, and LKR 600k–LKR 1200k/month at senior level. Globally, experienced Sales & Business Development Managers earn USD 400k+/year.

Key skills for a Sales & Business Development Manager in Sri Lanka: Business Development & Partnerships, Sales Management. Important soft skills: Executive leadership, Commercial acumen, C-suite negotiation. Tools and software: CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), Power BI (revenue dashboards), Microsoft Office, ERP (SAP, Oracle).

Sales Executive → BD Lead → Sales & BD Manager → VP Sales → CCO / MD.

Always in demand — every growing company needs commercial leadership. Senior BD Managers with a proven revenue track record in Sri Lanka are heavily recruited.

Sales & BD Manager is the commercial pinnacle for people who build revenue and lead teams. At this level, you are defining the business strategy for growth, owning major client relationships, and accountable for the company's revenue line. Enormously rewarding for driven commercial leaders — and one of the fastest routes to an MD or CCO role in Sri Lanka.

Senior commercial leadership role in a medium to large organisation. In Sri Lanka, Sales & BD Managers are found at Dialog, Unilever, John Keells IT, Brandix, IronOne Technologies, and any significant B2B or B2C business. Significant client-facing time, travel, and executive involvement.