Employment Counsel

Employment Counsel

The employment counsel will be a member of Carlyle's Legal and Compliance team and will work closely with the Global Head of Employment Law and the Human Capital Management (HCM) team to provide guidance on all legal aspects related to employment matters. The ideal candidate is a business-minded attorney who thrives in a fast-paced work environment. The employment counsel will be expected to manage multiple time-sensitive projects with a focus on working collaboratively and with strong attention to detail. The ideal candidate also will be a creative problem-solver who is highly responsive to meeting the needs of internal firm clients. The employment counsel will ideally also have international employment law experience. This position can be located in Washington, DC or New York, NY. In-Office Requirement: 4 days per week

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist the Global Head of Employment Law in advising Carlyle's global HCM business partners and other members of Carlyle's global HCM team on the full spectrum of employment law issues, employee relations issues, employee communication materials, employment policies and procedures, employee handbooks, benefits, compliance, internal investigations and other employment related matters.
• Draft and negotiate employment agreements, separation agreements including restrictive covenants
• Provide and/or coordinate training regarding employment best practices and anti-harassment training. Educate the HCM team on various employment matters, including agreement templates, to enable them to be more self-sufficient
• Manage outside counsel and other advisors in connection with employment matters

Requirements

Education & Certificates

• Bachelors degree, required
• JD from a top-tier law school with strong academic performance
• Active member of the District of Columbia or New York bar (as applicable based on office location)

Professional Experience

• 6+ years of overall relevant professional experience, required
• Experience at a major law firm and/or as an in-house counsel with a focus on employment matters, required

Competencies & Attributes

• Strong attention to detail, time management, organizational skills and a logical/analytical approach
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority requests in a demanding, fast paced environment and to maintain complete confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to manage external advisors
• Familiarity with private equity or financial industry preferred
• Global experience preferred
• Active member of the District of Columbia or New York bar (as applicable based on office location)
• Proficient with Microsoft Word; PowerPoint; Excel and Outlook

The compensation range for this role is specific to Washington, DC and New York, NY and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to the skill sets required/preferred; prior experience and training; licenses and/or certifications. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $200,000 to $230,000. In addition to the base salary, the hired professional will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package spanning retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance and disability, paid time off, paid holidays, family planning benefits and various wellness programs. Additionally, the hired professional may also be eligible to participate in an annual discretionary incentive program, the award of which will be dependent on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

The Carlyle Group is a global investment firm with $475 billion of assets under management, across 678 investment vehicles as of March 31, 2026. Founded in 1987 in Washington, DC, Carlyle has grown into one of the world's largest and most successful investment firms, with more than 2,500 professionals operating in 28 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Carlyle's purpose is to connect people, ideas, and capital to fuel growth for companies and performance for investors, which range from public and private pension funds to wealthy individuals and families to sovereign wealth funds, unions and corporations. Carlyle invests across three segments – Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest – and has deep expertise across industries, markets, and geographies.

At Carlyle, we believe that a wide spectrum of experiences and viewpoints drives performance and success. Our CEO, Harvey Schwartz, has stated that, "To build better businesses and create value for all of our stakeholders, we are focused on assembling leadership teams with the strongest insights from a range of perspectives." Reflecting this view, emphasis is placed on development, retention and inclusion through our internal processes and seven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). We cultivate a culture where ideas are openly shared and challenged, connecting diverse expertise and perspectives to drive enduring value.