Senior SQL Database Administrator

Senior SQL Database Administrator

Salary: £60,000-£65,000
Location: Cardiff - Hybrid (typically 2 days per week in the office)

We're working with a leading technology organisation that is expanding its database capability and is looking for a Senior SQL Database Administrator to join the team in Cardiff.

You'll work across development, test and production environments, taking ownership of the performance, availability, security and reliability of mission-critical SQL Server estates.

This is a senior technical position where you'll act as a SQL Server subject matter expert, working closely with development, infrastructure and production support teams to resolve complex issues and improve how database environments are managed and automated.

What you'll do:

• Manage SQL Server databases across development, test and production environments.
• Configure, maintain and monitor database Servers, ensuring high levels of performance, availability and security.
• Lead the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of complex database issues.
• Act as an escalation point for production support and critical incidents.
• Work closely with development teams on application, schema and database-related issues.
• Provide expertise around query tuning, indexing and schema optimisation.
• Identify opportunities to automate database administration and maintenance processes.
• Plan and support database maintenance, releases and high-impact changes.
• Manage database security, including access controls, auditing and data protection requirements.
• Support backup, recovery, high availability and disaster recovery strategies.
• Support Power BI environments, including data sources, gateways and performance.
• Contribute to data modelling and integration activities.
• Participate in on-call/out-of-hours support where required.
• Share knowledge and mentor junior DBAs and developers.

What you'll bring:

• We're looking for strong hands-on SQL Server experience, ideally including:
• Proven experience as a Microsoft SQL Server DBA across multiple environments.
• Strong knowledge of SQL Server performance monitoring and optimisation, including DMVs, Extended Events and Query Store.
• Experience with backups, restores and recovery models, including RPO/RTO considerations.
• Experience with SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery technologies such as Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering and Log Shipping.
• Experience securing SQL Server environments, including encryption, RBAC and auditing.
• Experience working with Windows Server and Active Directory.
• Knowledge of Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
• Understanding of Azure storage technologies such as Blob Storage, Azure Files and Managed Disks.
• Experience using PowerShell for database administration and automation.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform, Bicep or ARM templates.
• Knowledge of DevOps/CI-CD approaches to database change management, including tools such as Azure DevOps Pipelines, SSDT or Flyway.
• Awareness of security and compliance requirements including ISO 27001, SOC 2 and GDPR.

Desirable:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
• Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600)
• Azure security knowledge or AZ-500 certification
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric/Power BI

Security Clearance

Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

You will be required to successfully complete the relevant pre-employment and security screening processes.

Hybrid Working

This role is based in Cardiff, with a hybrid working model. You'll be expected to work from the Cardiff office typically around two days per week, with the remainder of your time split between home and other locations as required by the role.

If you're a senior SQL Server DBA who enjoys working on complex environments, solving challenging technical problems and improving the way database platforms are delivered and operated, we'd like to hear from you.