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, 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.

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 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.

• Strategic Coordination & External Engagement: 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.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: 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.

• Executive Communication & Internal Alignment: 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.

Qualifications:

Required

• 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

Preferred

• 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

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day.  

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow, and thrive. And find satisfaction in doing your part to make the world a better place.  

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally-protected characteristics.

Required Skills

Optional Skills

.

Primary Work Location

USA DC - Washington, DC

Additional Locations

Work Shift

At BD, we are strongly committed to investing in our associates—their well-being and development, and in providing rewards and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture. We demonstrate this commitment by offering a valuable, competitive package of compensation and benefits programs which you can learn more about on our Careers Site under Our Commitment to You.

Salary or hourly rate ranges have been implemented to reward associates fairly and competitively, as well as to support recognition of associates’ progress, ranging from entry level to experts in their field, and talent mobility. There are many factors, such as location, that contribute to the range displayed. The salary or hourly rate offered to a successful candidate is based on experience, education, skills, and any step rate pay system of the actual work location, as applicable to the role or position. Salary or hourly pay ranges may vary for Field-based and Remote roles.

Salary Range Information

$169,800.00 - $280,300.00 USD Annual