Associate Director, U.S. Government Relations

Becton Dickinson Medical Devices•Washington, DC

12h•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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, and 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.

Requirements

Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in government relations, public policy, public affairs, or advocacy, including experience in a corporate, trade association, government, or consulting environment
Strong working knowledge of the U.S. federal legislative and regulatory process, with exposure to state-level policy and advocacy
Validated ability to lead multiple issue areas and priorities simultaneously
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging senior leaders and external customers
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

Capitol Hill, federal agency, or state government experience
Experience working closely with external lobbying firms or multi-state advocacy efforts
Familiarity with healthcare, life sciences, or other highly regulated industries
Demonstrated success operating in matrixed, cross‑functional environments

Responsibilities

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 to internal customers.
Facilitates the alignment and advancement of company policy positions across business units, central functions, and the broader Public Affairs organization, including Healthcare Policy, Market Access, and International Affairs.
Represents the company in engagements with policymakers, regulators, and external customer organizations through direct interaction and coordinated advocacy efforts.
Further strengthens the company’s external representation by deepening its presence in Washington, D.C. and key states through consistent in‑person political engagement, coordinated PAC‑related activities, and the cultivation of strategic relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, and Administration officials.
Manages and coordinates work with external lobbyists and consultants by setting strategic priorities, tracking deliverables, and ensuring alignment with overall company objectives.
Actively participates in trade associations, coalitions, and industry groups to advance company policy priorities and strengthen strategic engagement.
Identifies and advances opportunities for proactive advocacy, relationship‑building, and thought leadership across federal, state, and local levels.
Serves as a central liaison between Government Relations and key internal functions, including Communications, Legal, Marketing, and Integrated Supply Chain, to ensure coordination and alignment on healthcare policy and advocacy priorities.
Translates complex legislative and regulatory developments into clear, relevant implications for internal audiences.
Partners closely with Communications and Public Affairs colleagues to align advocacy strategies with broader corporate messaging, reputation, and customer engagement objectives.
Prepares clear, concise policy briefings and strategic recommendations for senior leadership and executive audiences on legislative and regulatory developments and advocacy priorities.
Supports executive engagement with policymakers by developing briefing materials, talking points, and meeting preparations.
Contributes to building internal understanding of the company’s government relations and advocacy activities through regular updates, presentations, and internal communications.