About the Opportunity

Are you a seasoned corporate legal leader ready to shape the legal strategy of a global medical technology powerhouse? We are seeking an exceptional General Counsel to join the executive leadership team of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), one of the world's largest and most influential medical equipment and technology firms. This is a career-defining opportunity to serve as the top legal officer of a publicly traded Fortune 500 company with operations spanning more than 190 countries and annual revenues exceeding $20 billion.

BD is at the forefront of advancing the future of health — discovering new technologies, improving patient outcomes, and solving some of the world's most pressing healthcare challenges. As General Counsel, you will be a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors, the CEO, and the entire C-suite, guiding the company through an increasingly complex regulatory, compliance, and transactional landscape.

Role Overview

The Executive Vice President and General Counsel will serve as BD's chief legal officer, responsible for overseeing all legal affairs worldwide. This includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities and capital markets, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, litigation, government affairs, and global trade. The role reports directly to the CEO and is a standing member of the executive leadership team.

You will lead a global legal team of over 150 professionals across multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. The General Counsel plays a pivotal role in shaping corporate strategy, managing enterprise risk, and ensuring that BD operates with the highest standards of legal and ethical integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the global legal department, including corporate law, M&A, securities, regulatory, IP, litigation, employment, and environmental matters, ensuring consistent and high-quality legal support across all business units and geographies.
Serve as principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, its committees (particularly the Audit Committee and Governance Committee), and senior executive leadership on all matters of corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and regulatory compliance.
Oversee all aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, including due diligence, negotiation, regulatory approvals, and post-closing integration — drawing on experience with complex, multi-billion-dollar transactions.
Manage BD's global litigation strategy, including product liability, commercial disputes, antitrust matters, and intellectual property litigation, coordinating with outside counsel to achieve optimal outcomes while controlling legal spend.
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including FDA and international medical device regulations, anti-corruption laws (FCPA, UK Bribery Act), data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), trade sanctions, and competition/antitrust laws across all jurisdictions where BD operates.
Develop and implement the company's intellectual property strategy, protecting BD's extensive patent portfolio and trade secrets while managing IP risks associated with new product development and market entry.
Oversee securities law compliance, including SEC reporting obligations, Regulation FD, insider trading policies, and proxy statement preparation, ensuring timely and accurate disclosure to shareholders and regulators.
Advise on global trade and supply chain legal matters, including import/export controls, customs regulations, sanctions compliance, and supply chain risk management.
Build and maintain relationships with leading international law firms, managing outside counsel relationships and budgets to ensure cost-effective and results-driven legal representation.
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal department, mentoring the next generation of legal talent and fostering a culture of professional development, collaboration, and innovation.

Work Environment and Culture

BD fosters a purpose-driven culture rooted in its mission of advancing the future of health. The company values integrity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes worldwide. As General Counsel, you will work in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment where strategic thinking and sound judgment are paramount.

The role is based at BD's European headquarters in London, UK, with regular travel to the global headquarters in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and other BD offices worldwide. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, with flexibility to work remotely several days per week while maintaining a strong in-office presence for executive meetings, board sessions, and team leadership.

BD is committed to work-life balance and offers a supportive environment for senior leaders, including executive coaching, wellness programs, and access to a global network of peers and mentors within the organization.

Candidate Requirements

Qualified solicitor or barrister with active practice rights in England and Wales (or equivalent qualification in another common law jurisdiction with eligibility for UK practice).
Minimum of 20 years of progressive legal experience, including significant time at a top-tier international law firm and/or as in-house counsel at a multinational corporation.
Proven track record as a General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or equivalent senior legal leadership role at a publicly traded company with global operations.
Extensive experience advising boards of directors and C-suite executives on corporate governance, securities law, and enterprise risk management.
Demonstrated expertise in complex M&A transactions, including cross-border deals involving regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions (e.g., EU merger control, CFIUS, HSR).
Deep knowledge of medical device, pharmaceutical, or healthcare regulatory frameworks, including FDA regulations, EU MDR/IVDR, and international quality management systems (ISO 13485).
Experience managing large, geographically dispersed legal teams and building high-performing organizational structures.
Strong understanding of data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and emerging global data protection frameworks.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, actionable business advice for non-legal stakeholders.
Unimpeachable personal integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards in all professional dealings.

Technical and Professional Skills

Expertise in corporate governance frameworks, including UK Corporate Governance Code, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and Dodd-Frank Act provisions.
Proficiency with legal management platforms such as LegalTracker, SimpleLegal, or similar contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools.
Familiarity with e-discovery platforms (Relativity, Everlaw) and litigation management systems.
Experience with board portal software (Diligent, BoardEffect) for managing board materials and communications.
Knowledge of enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks, including COSO and ISO 31000.
Understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting requirements and sustainability regulations, including EU CSRD and SEC climate disclosure rules.
Working knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems for managing legal budgets, outside counsel spend, and contract administration.

Benefits and Compensation

This is a senior executive position with a compensation package commensurate with the scope and responsibility of the role. The total compensation includes a competitive base salary, an annual performance-based cash incentive, long-term equity incentives (restricted stock units and performance share units), and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits include private medical insurance for the executive and dependents, life insurance, pension contributions, executive physical examinations, financial planning services, and access to BD's employee assistance program. The company also provides a car allowance, professional membership subscriptions, and continuing legal education support.

Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to the London area, including temporary housing, immigration support, and spousal/partner career transition services.

Career Growth and Impact

As General Counsel of BD, you will be one of the most influential legal leaders in the global healthcare industry. This role offers unparalleled exposure to the highest levels of corporate decision-making, boardroom strategy, and international regulatory affairs. The General Counsel is a key architect of BD's strategic direction and plays a central role in shaping the company's growth trajectory through transactions, innovation, and market expansion.

Beyond the immediate role, this position serves as a springboard for future board appointments, industry leadership roles, and public policy engagement. BD's General Counsel is regularly recognized as one of the most powerful legal voices in healthcare, and the role provides a platform to influence regulatory policy, industry standards, and the future of global health law.

How to Apply and Next Steps

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae along with a cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the role. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Initial screening interviews will be conducted by the executive search firm engaged for this mandate, followed by meetings with the CEO, the Chair of the Board's Governance Committee, and other members of the executive leadership team. The anticipated start date for this role is March 16, 2026, and the selection process is expected to be completed within 8 to 12 weeks of the application deadline.

BD is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.