At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage database services, ensuring performance, security, and continuous improvement.
- Company: Join Canopius, a leading global specialty lines (re)insurer with a positive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, health cover, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: We value diversity and provide a supportive work environment for all.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in database administration and team leadership is essential.
The Role
JOB DESCRIPTION
The DBA Manager is responsible for the operational management, performance, security, and continuous improvement of the organisation’s database services. Reporting into the Head of IT Infrastructure, the role leads the Database Administration (DBA) team and ensures database platforms are reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned with infrastructure standards and business requirements.
The role translates infrastructure strategy into effective database operations, providing strong leadership, technical assurance, and governance across database technologies in both cloud and on-premise environments.
Responsibilities
Database Services Management
- Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of database services across the organisation.
- Ensure high availability, performance, integrity, and reliability of all database platforms.
- Oversee database installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, and lifecycle management.
- Ensure effective backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions are in place and regularly tested.
DBA Team Leadership
- Line manage the DBA team, setting clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and skills development.
- Ensure appropriate resourcing, workload management, and resilience within the DBA function.
- Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Performance, Capacity & Reliability
- Oversee database performance monitoring, tuning, and optimisation activities.
- Lead capacity planning and forecasting for database platforms.
- Ensure database services can scale to meet current and future business demand.
- Act as an escalation point for complex or high-impact database incidents and problems.
Security, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure database environments comply with security policies, regulatory requirements, and best practice.
- Work closely with Information Security, Risk, and Governance teams to manage database-related risks.
- Ensure appropriate access controls, encryption, and data protection measures are implemented.
- Support audits and assurance activities by providing evidence of effective database controls.
Standards, Governance & Change
- Define and maintain database standards, procedures, and operational documentation.
- Ensure database changes follow change management and release processes.
- Provide technical assurance for database-related changes, designs, and projects.
- Contribute to infrastructure governance and control activities as required.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
- Work closely with infrastructure, application, cloud, and service management teams.
- Support projects and transformation initiatives with database expertise.
- Manage relationships with database vendors and third-party service providers.
- Provide clear reporting on database service performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.
Qualifications
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in database administration roles, including team leadership or management.
- Strong technical understanding of enterprise database platforms (e.g. SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, or equivalent).
- Proven experience managing database performance, availability, backup, and recovery.
- Experience operating databases in complex or enterprise environments.
- Strong incident, problem, and change management experience.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience supporting cloud or hybrid database platforms.
- Experience working in regulated environments.
- Knowledge of infrastructure, security, and resilience best practices.
- Relevant database or cloud certifications.
Our Benefits
- We offer all employees a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on their whole wellbeing.
- This includes hybrid working, a competitive base salary, non-contributory pension, discretionary bonus, insurances including health (family) and dental cover, and many other benefits to enhance financial, physical, social and psychological health.
ABOUT US
We offer all employees a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on their whole wellbeing. This includes hybrid working, a competitive base salary, non-contributory pension, discretionary bonus, insurances including health (family) and dental cover, and many other benefits to enhance financial, physical, social and psychological health.
About Canopius
Canopius is a global specialty lines (re)insurer. We are one of the leading insurers in the Lloyd's of London insurance market with offices in the UK, US, Singapore, Australia and Bermuda.
At Canopius we foster a distinctive, positive culture which enables us to bring our whole selves to work to flourish as people, and build a business which delivers profitable, sustainable results.
Based in incredible new offices in the heart of the City of London, Canopius operates a flexible, hybrid working model and is committed to providing an environment that challenges employees to be their best and where everyone's unique contributions are recognised, valued and respected.
We are fully committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made regardless of age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion or beliefs, marital or caring status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
We encourage and welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds.
We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment.
Please let us know if you require any information in an alternate format or any other reasonable adjustments.
Database Administration Manager in Manchester employer: Canopius Group
At Canopius, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Data Governance Analyst, you will benefit from a comprehensive wellbeing package, including hybrid working options, competitive salaries, and a strong commitment to professional development. Our focus on building a data-led culture not only enhances your career growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in the insurance industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Database Administration Manager in Manchester
✨Tap into Local Tech Meetups
Get yourself to local tech meetups or database management conferences. It's a really great way to meet industry professionals and potentially uncover unadvertised full-time roles. When chatting with people, mention your skills and interests in database management; you never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects can not only sharpen your database skills but also get you noticed by employers. Many companies look for candidates who actively contribute to projects – it shows initiative and a real passion for the field. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to connect with other developers and expand your professional network.
✨Utilise Professional Bodies
Sign up for professional bodies related to database management, like the British Computer Society. They often host events and networking opportunities that can lead directly to job openings in the full-time market. Plus, it adds a nice touch to your professional profile!
✨Showcase Your Skills in a Public Portfolio
As you’re on the hunt for that full-time role, make sure to have a public portfolio that displays your best database projects. This can easily set you apart from the competition. And when you apply for roles, definitely mention it – it shows employers you mean business and are proud of your work!
We think you need these skills to ace Database Administration Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your database skills:When applying for a full-time role in database management, it’s super important to highlight your skills with specific database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, or any relevant data visualisation tools. We want to see how you've used these tools in real projects, so don't shy away from detailing your hands-on experience!
Tailor your CV for data:Make sure your CV is structured clearly, focusing on your previous experience in database management. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, like how you improved data retrieval times or reduced errors. This isn't just about what you've done; it’s about what you’ve achieved with your skills!
Craft a compelling cover letter:In your cover letter, share what excites you about database management and how you can contribute to Canopius Group. Mention any relevant projects where you tackled challenges or implemented new solutions. Let us know why you want to join our team and how your passion aligns with our goals.
Document your projects:If you've worked on interesting database projects—maybe during your studies or in previous roles—be sure to include those in your application. If you can, link to a portfolio or GitHub repo where we can see examples of your work. Having a tangible showcase of your skills will really make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canopius Group
✨Brush Up on Database Tools
Make sure you're well-versed with popular database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Incorporating real-world examples of how you've used these tools in past projects will show that you can put theory into practice, which is something Canopius Group will definitely appreciate.
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Get ready for some technical questions focused on SQL queries and database design. We should anticipate coding challenges where you might need to optimise queries or design a database schema on the spot. Practising these problems will build our confidence to impress in the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Besides just technical know-how, be prepared to answer scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach data integrity issues or handle performance bottlenecks — Canopius Group will want to see your analytical side!
✨Show Your Collaboration Spirit
Since this is a full-time role, it's crucial to highlight how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or contributed to team projects in the past. Emphasising our interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech wizard, but also a team player who fits well with Canopius Group's culture.
