Associate Director, U.S. Government Relations

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, U.S. Government Relations supports the development and execution of integrated federal, state, and local advocacy strategies that advance the company’s healthcare policy and business objectives. This role serves as a strategic generalist, providing policy analysis, managing external lobbyists and industry partnerships, and coordinating cross-functional alignment across Healthcare Policy, Market Access, Communications, Legal, and other internal teams.

Responsibilities include monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, shaping policy positions, supporting external engagement with policymakers and stakeholders, and preparing clear, executive-level communications and briefings. The Associate Director ensures cohesive government relations strategies that mitigate risk, create policy opportunities, and strengthen the company’s reputation and stakeholder relationships in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Job Description

We are the makers of possible

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

We believe that the human element, across our global teams, is what allows us to continually evolve. Join us and discover an environment in which you’ll be supported to learn, grow and become your best self. Become a maker of possible with us.

Overview

The healthcare and MedTech environment is undergoing significant transformation, driven by rapid innovation, changing reimbursement frameworks, and heightened expectations around affordability, equity, and measurable value. In this increasingly interconnected policy and market access landscape, the company’s ability to integrate healthcare policy, market access, and U.S. advocacy is critical to enabling product adoption, patient access, and customer impact.

Aligned with the company’s BU-centric operating model, the Government Relations function is expected to operate as an enterprise partner, translating policy and reimbursement dynamics into business-relevant strategies, mitigating risk, and creating long-term opportunity across the portfolio.

The Associate Director, U.S. Government Relations plays a critical, highly visible role in advancing the company’s healthcare policy, advocacy, and government engagement objectives across federal, state, and selected local jurisdictions. This role is designed as a strategic generalist with depth, a connector who can move seamlessly between policy analysis, advocacy execution, relationship management, and internal alignment.

The Associate Director will help shape and implement integrated government relations strategies that support business priorities, enable access and adoption, mitigate policy and reputational risk, and build durable policy opportunities. The role will work closely with external lobbyists, trade associations, and coalitions, and will partner extensively with cross-functional internal teams, including Healthcare Policy, Market Access, U.S. Government Relations leadership, Communications, Legal, Marketing, and Integrated Supply Chain, to advance a unified Public Affairs agenda.

The position reports to the Senior Director, U.S. Government Relations, and operates in close partnership with Healthcare Policy, Market Access & U.S. Government Relations leadership to ensure strategic coherence and enterprise-wide impact, while enabling tailored execution across issues, jurisdictions, and business needs.

Success in this role requires strong judgment, adaptability, executive communication skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

Government Relations & Advocacy

• Provides strategic support for the development and execution of comprehensive government relations and advocacy initiatives across federal, state, and select local jurisdictions.
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets legislative, regulatory, and political developments to identify risks and opportunities and deliver timely, actionable insights.
• Facilitates alignment of company policy positions across business units and Public Affairs functions.
• Represents the company in engagements with policymakers, regulators, and external organizations.
• Strengthens presence in Washington, D.C. and key states through engagement, PAC-related activities, and relationship building with government stakeholders.

Strategic Coordination & External Engagement

• Manages external lobbyists and consultants by setting priorities and tracking deliverables.
• Participates in trade associations, coalitions, and industry groups.
• Identifies opportunities for proactive advocacy, relationship-building, and thought leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Acts as liaison between Government Relations and internal teams such as Communications, Legal, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
• Translates complex policy developments into business-relevant insights.
• Aligns advocacy strategies with corporate messaging and reputation goals.

Executive Communication & Internal Alignment

• Prepares policy briefings and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
• Supports executive engagement with policymakers through briefing materials and talking points.
• Drives internal awareness through updates, presentations, and communications.

Qualifications

Required

• 6–8 years of experience in government relations, public policy, public affairs, or advocacy.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal legislative and regulatory processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills with experience engaging senior leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, or state government.
• Experience working with lobbying firms or multi-state advocacy.
• Familiarity with healthcare, life sciences, or regulated industries.
• Experience in matrixed, cross-functional environments.

Work Environment

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration to foster creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving. Most roles require a minimum of 4 days in-office per week, while still supporting flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based roles may have different arrangements as specified in the job posting.

Some roles may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or testing, depending on location. Accommodation requests will be considered in accordance with applicable law and company policy.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your contributions and encourages authenticity. We support each other, act with integrity, and continuously improve.

We seek individuals who see the bigger picture and understand the human impact of our work. At BD, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive while helping shape the future of healthcare.

To learn more, visit: https://bd.com/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Apply here