At a Glance
- Tasks: Stabilise high-availability SQL estates and improve performance across a busy SQL Server environment.
- Company: Join PH Jones, a leader in creating a greener energy future.
- Benefits: Flexible rewards, hybrid work, and support for your well-being.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social housing while advancing your career in tech.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience with SQL Server and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Join us, be part of more. We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.
About your team: At PH Jones, our mission is to mend it. Our teams have been at the heart of communities for over 50 years. Partnering with local authorities and associations, we support social housing across the UK – installing, upgrading and repairing heating and electrical systems. But we’re not just living off our legacy. We’re on a mission to make the UK’s social housing sector greener and more energy efficient.
PH Jones is looking for an experienced Senior SQL Server DBA to join our IS function on a contract basis. If you thrive on stabilising high-availability SQL estates, unpicking performance issues, and leaving teams with clear runbooks and measurable improvements, we’d like to hear from you.
Contract details
- Term: 6 months (day rate)
- Working pattern: hybrid (home + Stockport office as required)
- Hours: 40 per week, worked between 08:00-18:00 Mon-Fri
- Engagement: via our preferred agency partner
You’ll be brought in to improve resilience, performance and operational maturity across a busy SQL Server estate, working closely with Ops and delivery teams.
Overview:
Working as a Senior SQL Server DBA with PH Jones, your key accountabilities will be but are not limited to:
- Diagnose and remediate HA issues: quorum, witness migration, AOAG configuration and validation.
- Design and implement batching, lock‐order alignment, and indexing/partitioning to stabilise maintenance jobs.
- Tune high‐usage queries and stored procedures for Pilot/PilotArchive/PilotDocumentManagement; manage plan stability.
- Establish observability: XE deadlock capture, blocked process reports, Query Store baselines and dashboards.
- Harden backup/restore/DR; create and socialise detailed runbooks; coordinate failover tests with Ops.
- Support Rise features: schema reviews, migration scripts, performance advice; collaborate with .NET/Blazor teams.
- Document changes and adhere to change control (ServiceNow) and DevOps workflows (Azure DevOps).
The Person
Must have extensive demonstrable experience in the following:
- Expertise with SQL Server 2014–2022 engine internals, T‐SQL optimisation, indexing/partitioning, isolation & lock management.
- Windows Failover Clustering & Always On Availability Groups (quorum, witness, listeners, multi‐instance memory configuration).
- Extended Events, Query Store, deadlock graph analysis, parameter sniffing mitigation, plan stability techniques.
- Design for high‐throughput deletes/archiving: batching, sargable predicates, cascade/trigger management.
- Storage & I/O fundamentals for SQL (latency targets, RAID layouts; MDF/NDF vs LDF placement).
- SSIS/ETL patterns; experience with Azure SQL Managed Instance (desirable).
- Governance & tooling: ServiceNow change/incident, Azure DevOps, SharePoint documentation.
Why should you apply?
We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.
If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.
Senior SQL Server DBA in Stockport employer: Centrica Plc
At PH Jones, we pride ourselves on being more than just an energy company; we are a community-focused organisation dedicated to creating a greener future. Our hybrid working model in Stockport allows for flexibility while fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. With a commitment to professional development and a collaborative environment, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about sustainability and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SQL Server DBA in Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common SQL Server DBA questions and scenarios. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you feel more confident and articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through projects or contributions to open-source. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at PH Jones.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SQL Server DBA in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior SQL Server DBA role. Highlight your experience with SQL Server 2014-2022, T-SQL optimisation, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at PH Jones. Be sure to mention your experience with high-availability SQL estates and performance tuning.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them to solve real problems. Whether it's diagnosing HA issues or tuning high-usage queries, we want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy—just follow the link and let’s get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica Plc
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your SQL Server knowledge, especially the versions mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with high-availability setups, performance tuning, and any specific challenges you've faced. This will show that you're not just familiar with the technology but have hands-on experience.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to Windows Failover Clustering, Always On Availability Groups, and Extended Events. Practise explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this demonstrates your understanding and ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved issues in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on how your actions led to measurable improvements in performance or resilience.
✨Understand Their Mission and Values
Research PH Jones and their commitment to sustainability and community support. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of making the UK’s social housing sector greener. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can make a difference.
