Basic information

Job Name:

2-Year Associate, Direct Lending (Summer 2026)

Location:

New York/OVA

Line of Business:

Global Credit

Job Function:

Investment Professionals

Date:

Friday, December 5, 2025

Position Summary

The Associate, Direct Lending, will play a central role on Carlyle’s Global Credit team, supporting all aspects of the investment lifecycle. This two-year program is designed for professionals with foundational experience in credit investing or sponsor-backed finance who are looking to deepen their expertise in middle-market direct lending. Associates are embedded within deal teams and contribute meaningfully to underwriting, structuring, and managing a diverse portfolio of credit investments. The position offers exposure to a range of sectors and investment structures, all within a collaborative, high-performing environment where judgment, initiative, and analytical rigor are valued.

This role will leverage AI technologies to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive execution of key responsibilities with greater efficiency and impact. While AI is a powerful enabler, it does not replace strategic thinking; human insight and judgment will remain essential.

Responsibilities

Conduct industry research and competitive analysis to support investment decisions
Build and maintain detailed financial models, including cash flow projections and downside scenarios
Develop investment memoranda and presentation materials for credit committee review
Participate in underwriting new transactions, including initial screening, structuring, and term sheet development
Support legal documentation and transaction execution processes
Perform ongoing portfolio monitoring, including covenant compliance, performance tracking, and reporting
Contribute to internal valuation processes and periodic portfolio reviews,
Support investor-related activities such as fundraising, marketing materials, and data requests
Prepare sector updates and sponsor coverage materials
Generate benchmarking and comparable analysis to inform credit structuring
Draft and refine pipeline summaries and meeting notes for internal use
Extract insights from third-party data sources and summarize trends for deal teams

Many of the responsibilities may be supported through the use of AI technologies, allowing greater focus on the following strategic areas:

Deepening thematic insights across core sectors through collaborative research
Enhancing credit structuring practices with data-informed refinements
Strengthening sponsor relationships through proactive engagement and tailored insights
Driving thought leadership within the direct lending strategy

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
Degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field preferred
2 to 3 years of experience in direct lending, leveraged finance, restructuring, credit investing, or M&A
Prior exposure to sponsor-backed transactions strongly preferred
Solid financial modeling and valuation skills
Exceptional analytical capabilities with demonstrated attention to detail
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Familiarity with AI solutions that streamline diligence or deal execution workflows is advantageous

Benefits/Compensation

The compensation range for this role is specific to New York, 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 $150,000.

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 $474 billion of assets under management and more than half of the AUM managed by women, across 660 investment vehicles as of September 30, 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 2,400 professionals operating in 27 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.