Employment Counsel

Avature; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A global investment firm seeks an employment counsel to join its Legal and Compliance team in New York. The ideal candidate will provide expert legal advice on employment matters, manage projects in a fast-paced environment, and collaborate closely with various stakeholders. Significant experience in employment law and a JD from a reputable institution are required. This role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, emphasizing support for professional development.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Family planning benefits

Wellness programs

Annual discretionary incentive program

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house counsel focused on employment.
• Familiarity with private equity or financial industry preferred.
• Global employment law experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise on employment law issues and employee relations.
• Draft and negotiate employment agreements.
• Coordinate training on employment best practices.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Organizational skills

Analytical approach

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

JD from a top-tier law school

Active member of the DC or NY bar

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Outlook

Job description

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.

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

Qualifications

• 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)
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience at a major law firm and/or as an in-house counsel with a focus on employment matters
• 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
• 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 $190,000 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.

Due to the high volume of candidates, please be advised that only candidates selected to interview will be contacted by Carlyle.

Company Information

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with $453 billion of assets under management and more than half of the AUM managed by women, across 641 investment vehicles as of March 31, 2025. Founded in 1987 in Washington, DC, Carlyle has grown into one of the world's largest and most successful investment firms, with more than 2,300 professionals operating in 29 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Carlyle places an emphasis on development, retention and inclusion as supported by our internal processes and seven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its 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 expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation.

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." We strive to foster an environment where ideas are openly shared and valued. By bringing together teams with varied expertise and approaches, we enjoy a competitive advantage and create a stronger foundation for long-term success.