Job Description
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 () 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.