Business development managers’ salaries at management level have grown 5.5% to £58,000 in 2011, meaning business development salaries are currently 16% higher than other marketing professionals.

Research by marketing recruiter EMR shows the intensity of demand for BDMs has led to one in two of those resigning receiving counter-offers to stay in their current roles. Elsewhere in the industry, only one in every five departing employees are receiving improved offers to stay.

Since the beginning of the year, more than two out of every three BDMs being offered a new position have had to choose between multiple roles.

Charles Green, managing consultant of EMR, said: “2011 has seen a growing demand for a finite number of experienced BDMs