Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared
Location: Reading (Onsite)
Rate: Up to £98 per hour
Contract: 6 Months Initial
IR35: Inside IR35
Clearance: Active DV Clearance Required
We are seeking an experienced Senior SQL Server DBA to join a highly skilled technical team supporting business-critical database environments within a secure public sector organisation.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on DBA with strong experience across legacy and modern SQL Server platforms, providing 2nd and 3rd line support, maintaining database availability, security and performance, and driving continual service improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide 2nd and 3rd line support across production, pre-production and development SQL Server environments.
- Administer and maintain SQL Server versions (Apply online only), including patching, upgrades and migrations.
- Manage SQL Server high availability, clustering, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) and Always On Availability Groups.
- Lead database incident resolution, troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
- Manage backup, restore and disaster recovery arrangements, including resilience and failover testing.
- Perform database performance tuning, capacity management and optimisation.
- Maintain database security, access controls, auditing and compliance.
- Develop automation and scripting solutions using PowerShell and T‑SQL.
- Work closely with application, infrastructure, security and service management teams.
- Maintain technical documentation, runbooks and operational standards.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience as a Senior SQL Server DBA in business-critical production environments.
- Strong SQL Server administration experience across versions (Apply online only).
- Hands‑on experience with Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), FCI and Always On Availability Groups.
- Strong T‑SQL and PowerShell scripting skills.
- Experience of database backup, recovery, disaster recovery and high availability.
- Performance tuning using execution plans, indexing, DMVs, Extended Events and Query Store.
- Experience with SQL Server security, Active Directory integration and access management.
- Good knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory and SQL connectivity.
- Experience working within ITIL‑based incident, problem and change management processes.
- Excellent troubleshooting, communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable Experience
- SSIS, SSRS and SSAS.
- CyberArk or other privileged access management tools.
- PowerShell dbatools, Redgate SQL Monitor, SCOM or SolarWinds.
- SQL Server upgrade and migration planning, including end‑of‑support and ESU.
- Azure SQL, Azure Managed Instance or Azure Arc.
- Experience within defence, government or secure environments.
Candidates must hold active UK DV Security Clearance to be considered for this opportunity
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Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared employer: CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler
As a Compliance Team Leader in Newcastle, you will join a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee development and teamwork. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, offering opportunities for personal growth and career advancement while ensuring a customer-oriented approach. With competitive pay and the potential for a permanent position, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector.
Contact Details:
CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler Recruitment Team
