At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and optimise enterprise databases while leading modernisation projects in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Group IT organisation focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with mentorship opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming database technologies and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Strong SQL Server skills and experience with Azure and Cosmos DB required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator (DBA) to join our Group IT organisation. This role will be responsible for maintaining, optimising, and modernising our enterprise database estate, which underpins key operational and claims platforms globally. The successful candidate will perform a dual role: Operational Excellence and Modernisation & Transformation, with hands-on accountability and strong visibility across Group IT, Engineering, Architecture, and our claims platform delivery teams.
Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence — ensure stability, performance, integrity, and security of SQL database environments.
- Manage, monitor, and optimise SQL Server instances across on-premise VMs and Azure environments.
- Oversee performance tuning, index optimisation, query analysis, and capacity planning.
- Support production releases, troubleshoot incidents, and drive root-cause analysis.
- Maintain database availability, disaster recovery, and backup/restore strategies.
- Ensure compliance with security, governance, and audit requirements.
- Azure Data Platform Modernisation — lead and support the migration of legacy SQL Server workloads to Azure SQL Managed Instance / Azure SQL Database; contribute to database architecture design for cloud-ready and cloud-native applications; implement best practices for Azure monitoring, automation, scalability, and resilience; collaborate with DevOps teams to streamline database deployment automation and CI/CD.
- Modern Data Technologies (Claims Platform Enablement) — design, configure, and optimise Cosmos DB for high-scale, distributed data workloads (mandatory); support emerging use cases leveraging Microsoft Fabric for analytics and reporting (desirable); provide guidance on data modelling, partitioning, throughput management, and performance optimisation in modern cloud-native environments.
- Collaboration & Ways of Working — work closely with Developers, Solution Architects, Infrastructure, Security, and the Claims Platform team; contribute to documentation, handovers, and operational readiness for new services; participate in continuous improvement and automation; act as a technical SME for database practices and mentor junior team members where applicable; carry out ad hoc duties within your capability and scope.
- Demonstrate and champion company values, and collaborate to support the growth and success of the organisation.
Qualifications
- Strong SQL Server administration across enterprise environments.
- Performance tuning, query optimisation, and index strategy expertise.
- Azure SQL (MI/DB) administration and migration experience.
- Hands-on Cosmos DB data modelling and optimisation.
- Understanding of Microsoft Fabric data/analytics concepts.
- Backup, recovery, high availability, and disaster recovery planning.
- Experience with SQL Replication (and migration to AVG).
- Proficient in monitoring and diagnostics using Azure Monitor & Log Analytics.
- Automation skills (PowerShell, T-SQL, CI/CD for database deployments).
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capability.
- Knowledge of database security, encryption, and compliance standards.
Senior Database Administrator (668415) in City of Westminster employer: Charles Taylor
Join our dynamic Group IT organisation as a Senior Database Administrator, where you will play a pivotal role in optimising and modernising our enterprise database estate. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and continuous improvement, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive environment that champions employee well-being and encourages the sharing of knowledge among teams, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Database Administrator (668415) in City of Westminster
✨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 Senior Database Administrator (668415) in City of Westminster
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 Charles Taylor. 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 Charles Taylor
✨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 Charles Taylor 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 — Charles Taylor 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 Charles Taylor's culture.
