Business Development Manager

Specialises in generating new business through prospecting, listing presentations, and marketing initiatives. The Business Development Manager works closely with property management teams and plays a crucial role in driving company growth by expanding the agency’s client base and improving market reach.

A Real Estate Business Development Manager (BDM) focuses on identifying and securing new business opportunities to grow a real estate agency’s portfolio—typically in property management or commercial leasing. Their role is a mix of sales, relationship-building, strategic planning, and marketing, often requiring a proactive mindset and deep understanding of the local property market.


Daily Tasks of a Real Estate Business Development Manager

1. Lead Generation & Prospecting

  • Source potential landlord clients (residential or commercial).
  • Canvass local areas (letterbox drops, cold calls, emails).
  • Use CRM tools (e.g., Agentbox, Rex) to track and follow up leads.

2. Client Meetings & Presentations

  • Meet with property owners to pitch management services.
  • Conduct rental appraisals and property walk-throughs.
  • Prepare and present proposals or management agreements.

3. Sales & Conversion

  • Follow up on enquiries and convert leads into signed managements.
  • Negotiate fees, services, and lease terms with landlords.
  • Coordinate handovers from leasing/sales to property management.

4. Networking & Relationship Management

  • Build relationships with referral partners (mortgage brokers, sales agents).
  • Attend industry events, chamber of commerce meetups, or community groups.
  • Maintain relationships with current and past clients for future referrals.

5. Marketing & Promotion

  • Coordinate and execute BDM campaigns (online ads, social media, email).
  • Write blog posts, video content, or market updates to attract landlords.
  • Monitor performance of marketing campaigns and adjust accordingly.

6. Admin & Reporting

  • Update CRM and database with leads, notes, and deal status.
  • Prepare daily/weekly reports on performance (calls made, leads closed, etc.).
  • Work with internal teams on agreements, onboarding new clients, and compliance.

7. Compliance & Market Knowledge

  • Stay current with real estate laws and rental regulations (e.g., NSW Residential Tenancies Act).
  • Monitor rental market trends, vacancy rates, and investor sentiment.

A successful BDM in real estate combines persistence, deep market knowledge, and strong interpersonal skills.

Key responsibilities

Prospect for new property listings and clients

Actively identify potential landlords and property owners through cold calling, online research, letterbox drops, and networking efforts to generate leads and build a strong pipeline.

Conduct listing presentations and rental appraisals

Meet with property owners to present the agency’s services and assess rental values, using market insights and data to demonstrate your value and secure management agreements.

Execute marketing campaigns, including e-newsletters

Plan and launch targeted campaigns across email, social media, and local platforms to attract new clients and promote available listings, maintaining brand visibility.

Comply with company policies and procedures

Ensure all client interactions, documentation, and processes align with company standards and local regulations, supporting consistency and professional service delivery.

Conduct handovers to property management as needed

Facilitate smooth transitions from sales to property management, ensuring clients are onboarded effectively with full documentation and clear expectations.

Perform leasing duties when required

Support the leasing team during peak periods by assisting with property viewings, tenant screening, and lease preparation to maintain workflow efficiency.