At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead database management and optimisation for a world-class learning institution.
- Company: Join London Business School, a vibrant global community in London and Dubai.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, a generous pension, and free gym access.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education through innovative data solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft SQL Server, Azure, and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Power world‐class learning through world‐class data platforms
London Business School are seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator to lead the ongoing management, optimisation and modernisation of London Business School’s database estate. This role has a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server and Azure‐based data services and will play a critical part in our migration to Microsoft Azure.
You will provide deep technical expertise across database operations, migration planning, performance tuning, security and service improvement. Working closely with Technology colleagues, project teams, suppliers and business stakeholders, you will ensure our database platforms are secure, resilient, well‐governed and able to support the School’s teaching, research, operational and reporting needs.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and delivery of database upgrades, migrations and decommissioning activities, including resource and dependency planning.
- Manage day to day operational support for Microsoft SQL Server and related Azure data services.
- Monitor, tune and continuously improve database performance, availability, capacity and resilience.
- Troubleshoot and resolve database integrity, performance, replication, connectivity and security issues.
- Respond to alerts, failed jobs and incidents, ensuring timely resolution and robust root cause analysis.
- Design and implement automation for database administration, monitoring, deployment and maintenance activities.
- Manage production releases, patching, upgrades, backup, restore and maintenance processes.
- Maintain accurate database, application and licensing inventories and documentation.
- Contribute to DevOps practices, including infrastructure as code and automated deployment pipelines.
- Define and implement best practice for database security, access control, data retention, backup, recovery and compliance.
- Develop and maintain SSIS packages and support reporting requirements using SSRS, Power BI and other approved platforms.
- Build strong relationships with technical and business stakeholders and support agile delivery and continuous improvement across Technology.
Who we are looking for
- Extensive experience administering Microsoft SQL Server and related technologies.
- Experience working in cloud environments, ideally Microsoft Azure.
- Strong understanding of DevOps practices and infrastructure as code.
- Proven experience across the full engineering lifecycle, from design through to testing and deployment.
- Excellent analytical, problem solving and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Sound knowledge of data security, policies, regulations and legislation, particularly around data retention and security.
Why London Business School
London Business School; a global and vibrant business community based in two of the world’s most dynamic cities, London and Dubai. It’s where extraordinary minds and diverse perspectives connect, to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world. We offer best in class hybrid learning to our students and participants, whilst creating a flexible, supportive and dynamic working environment for our people to excel in, whatever their location.
What you can expect from us
- Generous annual leave of 27 days PLUS extra between Christmas and New Year!
- Generous pension package, 14.5% employer contribution (in return for employee enrolment and contribution)
- Free onsite gym and swimming pool
- Amazing range of professional development to support your career path
- Enhanced cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental and financial health
At London Business School, we support Smart Working - a hybrid approach designed to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance while delivering the best outcomes for your role and the needs of our customers. All roles require a minimum of two days on campus each week to foster a vibrant, collaborative community. For this role specifically, you will be expected to be on campus 2 days per week. We operate with ‘core hours’ – 10:00-15:00 – to maximise opportunities for connection and collaboration across teams during the working day. Outside of these hours, you may still be required for meetings or collaboration based on your role and customer needs. Additionally, we offer Protected Time - a flexible, one-hour slot, within the working week dedicated to your learning and development, wellbeing, or focused, quiet work.
Our commitment to driving inclusion and belonging
We are a globally reaching institution, committed to creating tangible and sustainable change in driving inclusion & belonging within our School, education and society at large. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone in our community feels they belong and thrive. This is a key school priority, and we want everyone who joins LBS to feel respected, welcomed, and heard.
Candidates needing sponsorship should assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship by evaluating their circumstances against the relevant criteria before applying.
Please note we start screening CVs and interviewing candidates from the start of a campaign. A successful candidate could progress to offer before the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in any roles.
Senior Database Administrator employer: London Business School
London Business School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and a commitment to hybrid working, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to world-class education and research in one of the most dynamic cities globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Database Administrator
✨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
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 London Business School. 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 London Business School
✨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 London Business School 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 — London Business School 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 London Business School's culture.
