Assistant General Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law
Role Overview
The Assistant General 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 is suited for a senior transactional attorney who operates at the portfolio level—setting deal strategy, negotiation precedent, and risk tolerance across the transaction pipeline—while leading and developing a team of experienced attorneys. The Assistant General Counsel leads the team supporting the full lifecycle of licensing, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and equity investments—from deal intake and diligence through negotiation, execution, and handoff to Alliance Management—and is accountable for the standards, precedent, and risk posture applied across that portfolio. The role requires close partnership with senior business development and corporate development leaders, Law leadership, specialist legal functions, cross-functional stakeholders, and external counsel, and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across BMS.
Full Job Posting
Benefits:
- Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
- U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
- Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
- Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
- U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits
- How We Work
- Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.
- Supporting People with Disabilities
- BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
- Candidate Rights
- BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
- For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
- Data Protection
- We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.
- Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
- If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [email protected] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.
- R1607321: Assistant General Counsel, Business Development Transactions Law
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, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, and divestitures.
- Own the legal due diligence model for complex business development transactions, setting diligence scope expectations, escalation standards, and coordination with IP, litigation, antitrust, regulatory, tax, and other specialist teams.
- Select and manage external counsel, including scoping engagements, negotiating fees, and managing legal spend for the BD transaction portfolio.
- Own the transaction legal support model, including deal intake, staffing, diligence escalation, negotiation standards, and portfolio execution discipline.
- 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.
- Hold accountability for enterprise-level legal exposure arising from the transaction portfolio, including escalation and resolution strategy for material disputes.
- Set the organizational capability agenda for BD Transactions, including templates, playbooks, escalation protocols, training, and continuous improvement.
- 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.
- Strong working knowledge of the biopharmaceutical/life sciences industry, including deal structures, development and commercialization models, and the regulatory environment.
- 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.
- High integrity and commitment to BMS values.
- We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
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