Assistant General Counsel, Employment

Becton Dickinson Medical Devices•San Diego, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Serves as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to HR and business leaders across global business units and corporate functions. Provides practical, solution-oriented employment law counsel that enables the achievement of business objectives while appropriately managing legal risk. This role partners with leaders to develop and implement people strategies, organizational initiatives, and operational decisions that support growth, transformation, and business performance. The position leads legal initiatives and partners closely with HR and business leaders on strategic workforce initiatives aligned with the company's strategic objectives. The role also oversees employment litigation as part of a broader employment law practice, optimizes the use of internal and external legal resources, and manages legal budgets and expense forecasting. This role reports to the Chief Employment Counsel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a college or university
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited ABA law school
License to practice law and in good standing under the Bar of any state that enables admission to practice as in-house counsel in California or New Jersey
Minimum of 7-10 years of employment law experience in a major law firm, major corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
Prior in-house experience strongly preferred.
Significant experience counseling business leaders and HR on complex employment matters is required.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor, balance legal risk with business objectives, and influence decision-making in a fast-paced environment is required.
Demonstrated business acumen and the ability to deliver practical, commercially oriented legal advice in support of business objectives is required.
Substantial experience counseling HR and business leaders on complex employment matters in a multi-state environment is required.
Strong business acumen and ability to align legal advice with organizational objectives
Demonstrated ability to establish credibility with senior leaders and influence business decisions through practical, risk-balanced legal advice
Ability to influence outcomes and navigate complex stakeholder environments
Practical, solution-oriented approach to legal counseling and risk management
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Self-starter, with proven capability to act and function both independently and as part of a team
Strong attention to detail and results orientation
Strategic thinking, agility, and customer focus
Strong interpersonal skills, organizational savvy and an ability to influence others
Strong project management skills
Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage multiple ongoing matters with appropriate prioritization based on deadline, significance, and client need
Sound decision-making ability and ability to balance legal risks with business strategy
Excellent business and legal judgment
Strong professional demeanor
Energetic and motivated self-starter
Effective at collaboration and building strong client and stakeholder relationships
Experience partnering with global business leaders and working effectively in a complex, matrixed organization

Nice To Haves

Experience managing wage and hour matters, including wage and hour class and collective actions, is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides proactive, strategic employment law advice and counseling to HR and business leaders on a broad range of workforce matters across the U.S.
Acts as a trusted advisor in support of business priorities, helping leaders identify and manage legal risk while achieving organizational objectives.
Advises on workforce strategy, organizational design, talent management, organizational transformations, workforce planning initiatives, restructurings and other strategic business changes, employee performance and misconduct, hiring and termination practices, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, internal investigations, wage and hour compliance, workplace safety and security, labor relations, and employment-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Provides guidance on restrictive covenants, including non-compete, non-solicitation, and nondisclosure obligations.
Builds strong relationships with business and functional leaders and serves as a key legal partner in strategic decision-making.
Collaborates with stakeholders to develop practical, scalable solutions that balance legal requirements, employee experience, and business needs.
Provides legal leadership on enterprise initiatives, helping shape strategy, drive implementation, and support organizational effectiveness across the business.
Influences key business decisions by providing commercially focused legal guidance and strategic risk assessment.
Partners with leaders to develop legally sound, practical approaches that enable successful execution of business goals and operational priorities.
Develops legal strategies and action plans necessary to achieve business and Company operational goals, with support from senior attorneys as appropriate, including addressing the legal implications of identified business objectives.
Partners with HR, Finance, Compliance, and business leadership teams to support transformation initiatives, organizational changes, talent strategies, and other key business objectives.
Advises on the design, implementation, and compliance of sales incentive compensation plans and other employee incentive programs for sales teams.
Drafts and reviews employment-related documents, such as corrective action, performance, and termination documentation, employment and separation agreements, and HR policies.
Oversees employment litigation, agency matters, and pre-litigation disputes for assigned client groups, including case assessment, litigation strategy, settlement considerations, litigation holds, discovery and initial fact gathering, outside counsel management, and budget oversight.
Proactively reduces litigation risk through preventive counseling, training, policy development, and practical guidance to business and HR leaders.
Advises on and manages government agency investigations, audits, and enforcement matters involving employment-related issues.
Accountable for effective and efficient utilization of related legal expenses, including projections and managing budgets.
Keeps up-to date on employment related laws and regulations, proactively provides updates to HR, and makes recommendations on and supports implementation of best practices and policy development or modification based on changes in the law.
Provides training and education on relevant topics as appropriate.