Assistant General Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary
The Senior Corporate Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law, provides enterprise-level legal leadership and people management in support of Bristol Myers Squibb’s business development strategy. This role leads a team that supports the full lifecycle of licensing, collaboration, acquisition, divestiture, equity investment, and alliance-related transactions, and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across BMS.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and execute the legal strategy for BD Transactions, aligned with enterprise priorities, portfolio strategy, and risk tolerance.
• Serve as a senior advisor to Business Development on complex and novel transaction structures.
• Anticipate deal trends, regulatory developments, and industry dynamics; proactively position the organization to address legal and business risk.
• Oversee the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of high-value, high-complexity business development transactions, including licensing, collaborations, M&A, equity investments, and divestitures.
• Lead legal due diligence for complex business development transactions, coordinating across IP, litigation, antitrust, regulatory, tax, and other specialist teams.
• Lead and develop a team of BD Transactions attorneys, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive performance management and talent development to strengthen capability and engagement.
• Apply strong business acumen and sound judgment to navigate complex, matrixed organizational structures.
• Deliver practical, service-oriented legal advice aligned with Bristol Myers Squibb’s mission and values.

Qualifications & Experience

• J.D. degree and admission to a state bar.
• Minimum 15 years of legal experience, including leading, drafting, and negotiating complex agreements in the biopharmaceutical/life sciences industry.
• Track record of leading large, complex, high-risk transactions and advising senior executives.
• Leadership experience managing senior attorneys and/or managers in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Exceptional judgment and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills; able to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and risk assessment skills, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional, matrixed organizations.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Compensation Overview:

$290,450 - $351,951

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.