SQL Database Administrator Location: Manchester / Birmingham / Sheffield / Chelmsford (Hybrid: 3 office / 2 WFH) Salary: Up to £65,000 benefits Sector: Professional Services / Legal IT Type: Permanent What’s on offer: Salary up to £65,000 Hybrid working: 3 days in office / 2 days WFH Modernising SQL and Azure environment with strong investment The opportunity We are working with a major professional services organisation seeking an experienced SQL Database Administrator to join a specialist team supporting large, business-critical SQL Server and Azure SQL platforms. This is a hands-on position where you’ll play a key role in maintaining performance, stability, and resilience across the firm’s core applications. The role * Administer and optimise SQL Server databases (2014–2022) across on-prem and Azure. * Deliver performance tuning, query optimisation and advanced troubleshooting. * Manage HA/DR including AlwaysOn AGs, clustering, backups, and failover. * Monitor capacity, patching, security, and database integrity. * Support application upgrades, releases, and T-SQL-driven integrations. * Provide 3rd-line support for major incidents. * Produce documentation, runbooks, and operational best practice. * Work closely with developers, infrastructure, and external vendors. What we’re looking for Essential: * Strong commercial SQL Server DBA background in live production environments * Azure SQL expertise (Managed Instance, SQL Database or SQL on Azure VMs) * Proven HA/DR delivery: AlwaysOn, clustering, failover processes * Deep performance tuning (execution plans, indexing, Query Store, Extended Events, wait stats) * Confident T-SQL skills for diagnostics and automation * Experience working within structured change control * Clear communication skills and calm approach under pressure Nice to have: * Legal, insurance or professional services experience * Exposure to DMS/PMS or other line-of-business systems * SSIS, ADF or wider integration tooling experience * Interest in cloud transformation and platform uplift initiatives. How to apply If you’re an experienced SQL Database Administrator seeking a high-impact role in a modern, forward-thinking professional services environment, please get in touch for a confidential discussion