At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and optimisation of SQL Server database solutions in a hybrid role.
- Company: Dynamic tech company in Stoke-on-Trent with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Up to 35 days holiday, gym membership, private dental support, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by mentoring others and driving database strategy.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of SQL Server experience and strong T-SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Role
Senior SQL Developer
Work Pattern
Hybrid
Location
Stoke-on-Trent
Salary
£45,000-£55,000
We're looking for an experienced Senior SQL Developer to take ownership of a Microsoft SQL Server environment, leading the design, development and optimisation of business-critical database solutions.
This role offers the opportunity to provide technical leadership, influence database strategy, mentor other developers and deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that support a growing business.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys combining hands-on SQL development with technical leadership in a collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of the design, development and ongoing enhancement of SQL Server database solutions.
- Serve as the technical expert for the SQL Server environment, driving best practices and providing guidance across the team.
- Maintain and optimise business-critical databases to ensure high levels of performance, security and availability.
- Develop and enhance complex stored procedures, functions, views, triggers and database integrations.
- Monitor database health and identify opportunities to improve performance, scalability and reliability.
- Investigate and resolve complex database issues, including performance bottlenecks, locking, blocking and data integrity challenges.
- Oversee database backup, recovery and disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity.
- Work closely with developers, analysts and key stakeholders to deliver robust technical solutions.
- Review code, uphold development standards and champion best practices across the team.
- Support project delivery through technical input, solution design and accurate effort estimation.
- Keep up to date with emerging technologies and recommend improvements to database architecture and development processes.
Key Skills & Experience
- 5+ years' experience developing and administering Microsoft SQL Server database solutions.
- Expert knowledge of T-SQL, including stored procedures, functions, views and performance optimisation.
- Strong experience with relational database design, ETL processes (SSIS or equivalent) and high-volume transactional databases.
- Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimise SQL performance, including query tuning, execution plans, locking and deadlocks.
- Experience with SQL Server backup, recovery, disaster recovery and High Availability technologies (Always On Availability Groups, Log Shipping and Replication).
- Experience with Azure SQL Database and/or Azure SQL Managed Instance.
- Familiarity with Git, Azure Dev Ops, CI/CD pipelines, Power Shell and SQL monitoring tools is advantageous.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills.
Desirable
- Previous experience mentoring or coaching junior developers and helping to drive development best practices.
- Experience providing technical leadership and contributing to technical strategy and solution design.
Benefits
- Up to 35 days holiday (including bank holidays).
- Enhanced family leave.
- Death in service cover.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Gym membership contribution.
- Private dental support.
- Employee recognition schemes and social events.
- Annual eye tests and contribution towards prescription glasses.
- Ongoing professional development within a collaborative and supportive working environment.
If you are interested, please apply now!
SQL Developer in Stafford employer: Candour
Join a leading digital agency in Chester that champions innovation and collaboration, offering you the chance to lead exciting digital transformation projects. With a relaxed work culture, flexible hours, and a commitment to employee growth, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and supports your professional development. Enjoy benefits like private healthcare and the latest technology while working alongside talented teams to deliver impactful solutions for renowned UK brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SQL Developer in Stafford
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Candour or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Candour.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Candour.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Candour that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace SQL Developer in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Candour.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Candour and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Candour
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Candour uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
