Job DescriptionGENERAL FUNCTION: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.
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. Also 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.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS (AS APPLICABLE):EDUCATION AND LICENSE:
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a college or university
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited ABA law school and
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
EXPERIENCE: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.
Experience managing wage and hour matters, including wage and hour class and collective actions, is strongly preferred.
SPECIAL SKILLS:- 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
At BD, we are committed to supporting our associates' well-being, development, and success through a performance-based culture. For this position, BD offers a competitive compensation package along with the following benefits specific to this role:
- Potential Discretionary LTI Bonus
- Potential reimbursement of vehicle use/mileage
- Potential reimbursement of phone use
Health and Well-being Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Accidental Injury Insurance
- Short-term disability coverage
- Long-term disability insurance
- Long-term care with life insurance
Other Well-being Resources
- Anxiety management program
- Sleep improvement program
- Diabetes management program
- Emotional/mental health support programs
- Weight management programs
- Gastrointestinal health program
- Substance use management program
- Musculoskeletal surgery, cancer treatment, and bariatric surgery benefit
Retirement and Financial Well-being
- BD Deferred Compensation and Restoration Plan
- Baxter Credit Union (BCU)
- College financial aid and application guidance
Life Balance Programs
- Paid time off (PTO), including all required State leaves
- Educational assistance/tuition reimbursement
- Group auto and home insurance
- Discounts on products and services
- Academic Achievement Scholarship
- Service Recognition Awards
- Employer matching donation
Other Life Balance Programs
- Backup day care and eldercare
- Support for neurodivergent adults, children, and caregivers
- Caregiving assistance for elderly and special needs individuals
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Support for fertility, birthing, postpartum, and age-related hormonal changes
Leave Programs
- Family and Medical Leave (FML)
- Jury and Witness Duty Leave
Primary Work LocationUSA CA - San Diego Bldg A&B
Additional LocationsUSA NJ - Franklin Lakes
Work ShiftAt BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."
Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.
Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.
Salary Range Information 
