Senior Business Intelligence Engineer

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago seeks a Senior Analytics Engineer to own recurring operational reporting and data processes across financial and HR data, with end-to-end ownership and tight monthly and year-end deadlines.

The role emphasizes expert SQL analysis and developing reports in Power BI, Tableau, or Cognos, coordinating with Finance, Accounting, and HR to ensure data accuracy and timely leadership deliverables.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience owning recurring data processes and reporting cycles.
• Expert-level SQL analysis: reading and unraveling complex multi-table logic and stored procedures.
• Experience with enterprise BI reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Cognos.
• Experience running month-end and year-end close cycles with deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Own recurring reporting and data processes across financial and HR data domains.
• Read and explain complex SQL to diagnose discrepancies and implement corrections.
• Develop and maintain reports in Power BI, Cognos, and other BI platforms; support legacy Crystal reports.
• Coordinate with product management to translate organizational changes into data/report updates.
• Document processes and maintain procedures for repeatability.
• Respond to ad hoc data requests with fast, accurate turnaround.

Skills

SQL analysis

Attention to detail

Discretion

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Cognos

SSIS

Job description

The Senior Analytics Engineer leads the recurring reporting and data processes behind several of the firm's most important administrative functions. This role reports to the Business Intelligence Senior Manager and combines hands-on SQL analysis and report development, working with Finance, Accounting, and HR through the firm's product management team. The person in this seat runs processes with hard monthly and annual deadlines, keeps the underlying data accurate, and produces reporting that firm leadership relies on.Strong SQL analysis is the single most important qualification for this role: the ability to read and unravel complex existing SQL matters more than authoring new code. Experience in a law firm or professional services environment is a major plus, and hands-on report development in Power BI, Tableau, or Cognos is highly valued. The ideal candidate is meticulous, discreet with sensitive data, and comfortable owning processes end to end.Duties and Responsibilities:Own recurring operational reporting and data processes across firm financial and HR data domains, from daily validation through month-end and year-end closeRead, analyze, and understand complex SQL (views, nested views, stored procedures) to explain how reported numbers are produced, diagnose discrepancies, and make targeted corrections where neededMonitor daily data validation reporting, investigate discrepancies such as conflicting HR records from upstream system changes, and apply corrections, judging which issues must be fixed before month-end close and which can wait; coordinate with the business analysts who track the same reportsExecute month-end and year-end close activities, including reconciliations and year-end reporting deliverablesPrepare and distribute highly confidential deliverables for firm leadership with complete accuracy and discretionDevelop and maintain reports in the firm's BI platforms (Power BI, Cognos) and support remaining legacy Crystal reportsWork with the firm's product management team to translate organizational and system changes, such as HRIS changes, into data and report updatesTrace data issues back to their source systems and coordinate corrections with data engineering and system ownersMaintain clear documentation and step-by-step procedures for all recurring processes so they can be run by othersContribute subject-matter knowledge to report modernization efforts, bring consultants up to speed on legacy reports, and validate converted outputs against existing reportsRespond to ad hoc analysis and data requests from firm leadership and administrative departments with fast, accurate turnaroundReduce recurring manual work over time through automation, improved queries, or process changesEducation and/or Experience:Required:Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, or a related fieldA minimum of 5 years of experience as a data analyst, reporting analyst, or in a similar role owning recurring operational data processesExpert-level SQL analysis: the ability to read and unravel complex multi-table logic, nested views, and stored procedures, explain what they produce and why, write queries against them, and make targeted, safe modifications when neededDemonstrated experience running recurring financial or operational close cycles (month-end, year-end) against hard deadlinesExceptional attention to detail, with a track record in data validation, reconciliation, and correctionProven ability to handle highly sensitive financial and personnel data with discretion and sound judgmentReport development experience with at least one enterprise BI platform such as Power BI, Tableau, or CognosExcellent communication skills, comfortable working with product managers, business analysts, and senior administrative stakeholdersAbility to own long-running processes independently, with minimal supervisionStrong diagnostic ability: a track record of tracing an incorrect number through interconnected systems to root cause, rather than patching the symptomA demonstrated habit of documenting processes, decisions, and fixes in writing as the work happensPreferred:Experience in a law firm or professional services environment is strongly preferredFamiliarity with legal industry financial and HR systems, such as Elite 3E, Workday, or comparable platformsExperience with Crystal Reports, including maintaining or retiring legacy reportsReport development experience across more than one BI platform (Power BI, Tableau, Cognos)Familiarity with SSIS or similar ETL and scheduled job frameworks, including troubleshooting failed or partial loadsExposure to confidential financial or HR data domains, such as payroll or compensationFamiliarity with cloud data platforms such as Databricks or Azure SQLExperience documenting processes in a shared knowledge base such as ConfluenceExperience supporting report platform migrations or system transitionsSQL performance tuning skills, such as reading execution plans, are a plusOther 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-KG2#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:$98,300 - $145,000 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 [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.