HR Data Solutions Architect

The HR Data Solutions Architect serves as the subject-matter authority on HR data and to lead the modeling and migration of the HR Warehouse and related sources to the enterprise Lakehouse. This role reports to the Senior Manager, Data Engineering and is responsible for defining how HR data is modeled, mapped, and governed as it moves to the enterprise Lakehouse — establishing trusted, well-structured HR data that supports reporting, analytics, and downstream business needs.This role requires deep expertise in HR data and systems, data integration, and dimensional and domain-oriented data modeling. The HR Data Solutions Architect will partner with data engineering, data governance, and HR stakeholders to produce durable, business-aligned models that improve the consistency, quality, lineage, discoverability, and reuse of HR data across the enterprise.Duties and Responsibilities:Serve as the subject-matter expert for HR data domains — core HR, payroll, benefits, talent, time & attendance, and organizational structures — including their business rules, definitions, and lineage.Design and govern conceptual, logical, and physical data models for HR data, and implement them across the Medallion architecture (bronze/silver/gold) using Delta Lake on Azure Databricks.Lead source-to-target mapping from legacy HR systems and the existing HR Warehouse to the target Lakehouse, applying dimensional modeling to support HR reporting and analytics.Identify and document the System of Record (SoR), Single Source of Truth (SSoT), and Single Version of Truth (SVoT) for HR entities, and govern the distinction between them across the Medallion architecture.Provide architectural guidance on entity resolution and cross-system key management for HR identifiers (e.g., worker, position, and organization keys) spanning multiple source systems.Partner with data engineers to migrate the HR Warehouse and associated integrations, mapping existing HR feeds and pipelines to Databricks-based ingestion patterns.Support validation, reconciliation, and cutover between the legacy warehouse and the new platform.Contribute to metadata and catalog practices (e.g., Unity Catalog), including lineage representation and business glossary definitions for HR data.Champion data quality and ensure sensitive HR/PII data is modeled and handled in line with privacy, security, and compliance requirements.Document data dictionaries, models, and source-to-target mappings to serve as authoritative references for HR data on the platform.Mentor engineers and analysts on HR data modeling and migration best practices.Education and/or Experience:Required:Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Human Resources Information Systems, or a related field.A minimum of 5 years of experience in data modeling, data architecture, or HR data/systems roles.Deep experience with HR data and HR systems (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or comparable), including integrations.Proven success designing data models across conceptual, logical, and physical layers.Strong background in data integration — APIs, ETL/ELT, and middleware.Proficiency in SQL and a solid understanding of data warehousing and dimensional modeling concepts.Understanding of data governance, metadata management, and data quality disciplines.Experience working with modern cloud data platforms; familiarity with Databricks or similar Lakehouse architectures is strongly preferred.Ability to translate HR business requirements into sound, governed technical data structures.Preferred: Hands-on experience with Azure Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark/PySpark, and Unity Catalog.Familiarity with the broader Azure data ecosystem (Azure Data Factory, ADLS).Experience migrating on-premises or legacy warehouses to a cloud Lakehouse.Understanding of MDM and entity resolution to link key HR entities across data sources.Knowledge of HR data privacy and compliance frameworks.Experience mentoring analysts, data engineers, or other modelers on data modeling best practices.Industry experience in legal or financial services a plus.Other Skills and Abilities:The following will also be required of the successful candidate:Strong organizational skillsStrong attention to detailGood judgmentStrong interpersonal communication skillsStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsAble to work harmoniously and effectively with othersAble to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretionAble to work under pressureAble to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities#LI-OE1#LI-HybridApplicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or in the futureThe target salary range for this role is:$185,200 - $210,000 if located in Illinois.Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (current employees should contact Human Resources).Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.SummaryLocation: ChicagoType: Full time