Senior Database Administrator, SQL Server

Overview

The SQL DBA is responsible for providing end-to-end production support across the application lifecycle, collaborating with development, infrastructure, testing, and production teams. The role involves managing and maintaining SQL Server database environments across both IaaS and PaaS platforms, ensuring development and testing databases are current and aligned with production standards. Key responsibilities include performance tuning, database optimization, troubleshooting, routine maintenance, health checks, and investigation of production issues. The SQL DBA will also conduct peer reviews, enforce database development and coding standards, and contribute to automation initiatives within a DevOps-driven environment to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Accountabilities and main responsibilities

Strategic Focus

• The SQL DBA will provide support and assistance to the wider Data Services team across multiple database technologies, contributing to the effective day-to-day operation of business-as-usual (BAU) activities.
• The role is responsible for ensuring data integrity, maintaining the availability and reliability of database services, and delivering high-quality support to business-critical processes.

Operational Management

• Provide operational support and drive continuous improvement across the SQL Server estate, including Development, Test (System, Load, Performance, and UAT), and Production environments.
• Ensure automation, process efficiency, and appropriate tooling (including code/branch management, deployment, and configuration management) are utilised to reduce cycle times and improve the reliability, auditability, and traceability of system deployments across multiple applications.
• Ensure that processes, best practices, and database build standards are consistently applied, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Perform database health checks, manage backups, and implement DBA best practices to maintain database performance, availability, and reliability.
• Define and apply development and code-merging processes and methodologies to software and systems, minimising risks to Production environments resulting from poor code management practices.
• Collaborate with DevOps teams to ensure Development teams have the appropriate environments, tools, and automation required to maximise productivity and remove operational obstacles.
• Protect Production environments through effective governance, best practices, sound design principles, and fit-for-purpose environments across the delivery lifecycle, supporting project and change activities.
• Ensure project and change releases are packaged to the required quality standards, are repeatable across environments without modification, and are deployed successfully to target environments, including Production, within agreed timescales.
• Identify and address weaknesses in processes, technology, and service delivery through a culture of continuous improvement, while engaging and collaborating with process managers and key stakeholders.

People Leadership

• Provide training and knowledge transfer to IT support teams on supported tools, technologies, and environments to ensure effective system support and operational continuity.

Governance & Risk

• Provide strong governance over the management of and access to live data within environments where required (including Client Data Take-Up activities), ensuring that data obfuscation practices and technologies are implemented and consistently maintained.
• Ensure software, systems, and processes are accurately documented to prevent single points of knowledge, promote knowledge sharing, and distribute skills effectively across the team and wider department.
• Ensure software deliverables and artefacts associated with projects and change initiatives are progressed effectively, providing accurate status reporting and updates to Line Managers, Project Managers, and Change Managers as required.

Experience & Personal Attributes

• Demonstrable knowledge of database administration (design, installation & troubleshooting) of current MS SQL Server and Windows Server Enterprise platforms
• 8+ years of relevant work experience
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience of Current Microsoft SQL Server versions, IaaS and PaaS
• Proven knowledge and experience of Database Mirroring, Log Shipping, Clustering, Availability Groups, Transactional Replication, ETL
• Database performance and optimisation experience
• Experience working with automation deployment tools.
• Ability to develop and implement data security guidelines while making data available to those authorised to have access
• Ability to ensure the technical integrity of corporate databases by protecting against the loss or misuse of information and designing backup/recovery strategies
• Ability to database design, implementation and performance tune
• Experience in automated testing of all database releases
• Experience in support for all database releases.
• Experience of supporting large scale critical production databases

Personal Attributes

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate with global teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with strong technical and programming capabilities.
• Ability to manage and prioritise workloads effectively, working independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure, balancing competing priorities and delivering timely outcomes.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to meet changing business and operational requirements.