HR Operations Senior Coordinator in Chicago, Illinois at Sidley Austin LLP

The HR Operations Senior Coordinator is a key member of the HR Operations team, responsible for the accurate input, maintenance, audit, and reporting of HR data within Workday HCM Cloud and electronic personnel files (OnBase). This role is accountable for data accuracy, processing efficiency, and the secure retrieval of sensitive employee information, ensuring all required protocols and compliance standards are consistently upheld.

Working within the HR Operations team, the Senior Coordinator plays a hands-on role in carrying out HR programs and procedures across the colleagues lifecycle. At this level, the Senior Coordinator is expected to develop expertise in all HR Operations processes owning processes end-to-end, understanding how those processes interconnect with broader HR and firm operations, and maintaining up-to-date process documentation. This individual will serve as a go-to resource for their specific workflows and will proactively identify opportunities to improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares and inputs people and job data in Workday for employee lifecycle events including new hire, job change, termination, personal data changes, compensation adjustments, position updates, and other required data transactions

• Reviews and verifies source data to confirm accuracy and completeness prior to entry; follows up with appropriate parties to resolve discrepancies or missing information

• Conducts regular Workday data audits for transactions entered via Employee Self Service, Manager Self Service and by Local HR to maintain overall data integrity, identifying and resolving inconsistencies in accordance with firm procedures

• Serves as a Workday HCM subject matter expert for the HR Operations scope catalog and processes, maintaining a thorough understanding of relevant business processes, system configurations, and downstream impacts across HR and the broader firm ecosystem

• Owns assigned HR processes end-to-end, including maintaining accurate and current process documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Quick Reference Guides (QRGs)/job aids, Knowledge Bank and templates to support consistency and knowledge continuity across the team
• Manages and resolves Workday Help cases submitted by employees and managers, serving as a first-line responder for HR Operations-related inquiries; triages, tracks, and closes tickets within established service level expectations, escalating or redirecting misaligned, complex or sensitive cases as appropriate

• Reviews data discrepancies, requests clarification as needed, and escalates issues to the appropriate supervisor or HR Operations lead

• Runs, formats, and distributes Workday reports to key stakeholders on a scheduled and ad hoc basis

• Inputs and maintains documents in electronic personnel files via OnBase, ensuring proper organization and retrieval standards are followed

• Processes background checks for new hires in partnership with third-party vendors, tracking status and escalating issues as needed

• Responds to employment verification requests accurately and in a timely manner

• Processes completed Form I-9 and E-Verify submissions to determine and document employment eligibility

• Reviews new hire data for accuracy and completeness via the firm's recruiting system prior to Workday onboarding entry

• Supports Workday system testing, updates, and enhancements, serving as an owner and a knowledgeable participant in testing and process validation efforts

• Assists with HR department projects and initiatives as needed

• Performs other related duties as required and assigned

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Strong data entry skills, both alpha and numeric
• High level of attention to detail must demonstrate use of process and resource materials with keen eye and passion for defect free process and data accuracy.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and PowerPoint
• Creation, adherence, and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Quick Reference Guides (QRGs)/job aids, and process flow documentation in Visio
• Strong service delivery mentality with demonstrated experience working with sensitive HR data and case management platforms
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the firm, tailoring communication styles to leadership preferences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with peers, stakeholders and project team members
• Curious, self-starter who can navigate complex processes and bring continuous improvement mindset to processing protocols
• Demonstrated experience with case management tool for task assignment and completion, comfortable prioritizing work based on service level agreements

Preferred

• A minimum of 2 years experience administering HR system and data processes; 3+ years preferred.
• Bachelors degree
• Prior HR experience
• Prior experience with cloud based Human Resources Information Systems, preferably Workday HCM

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-EC1

The target salary range for this role is:

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 sidleytalentacquisition@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results.