At a Glance
- Tasks: Stabilise high-availability SQL estates and improve performance across a busy SQL Server environment.
- Company: Join a family of brands revolutionising energy for a greener future.
- Benefits: Flexible rewards, hybrid work, and support for your well-being.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your voice and ambitions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the social housing sector while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience with SQL Server, T-SQL optimisation, and high-availability configurations.
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
At PH Jones, we are more than just an energy company; we are a family dedicated to creating a greener and fairer future. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee well-being and growth, offering flexible rewards that cater to your personal and professional needs. Join us in Stockport as a Senior SQL Server DBA and be part of a team where your contributions matter, and your career development is a shared priority.
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 current employees on LinkedIn or at industry events. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at PH Jones. Personal connections can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your SQL Server knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've tackled high-availability issues or optimised performance. Show us how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly there. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of being noticed by our hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you note. Mention something specific from your conversation that excited you about the role. It’s a great way to keep your name fresh in our minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SQL Server DBA in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your SQL Skills:Make sure to highlight your expertise with SQL Server, especially the versions mentioned in the job description. We want to see your experience with T-SQL optimisation and high-availability setups, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for. It’ll help your application stand out from the crowd!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to read and get straight to the heart of your experience and skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can explore more about our company while you’re there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your SQL Server knowledge, especially the versions mentioned in the job description. Be prepared 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.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved issues in previous roles. Whether it's handling quorum problems or optimising queries, having a few solid stories ready will help illustrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Tools
Since the role involves using tools like ServiceNow and Azure DevOps, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with these platforms if you haven't already. Being able to discuss how you've used similar tools in the past can give you an edge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
Given the company's commitment to a greener future, be prepared to discuss how your work as a DBA can contribute to sustainability efforts. Whether it's through optimising database performance to reduce energy consumption or supporting social housing initiatives, showing that you align with their values can make a strong impression.
