At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled DBA team and ensure high performance of database services.
- Company: Join a leading fintech business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid model, comprehensive wellbeing benefits, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work in modern Manchester offices with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Why this job: Shape database strategy and make a real impact in a global organisation.
- Qualifications: Significant DBA experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 68231 £ per year.
We're partnering with a leading fintech business, as they look to appoint a DBA Manager to lead their database administration function during a period of continued investment in infrastructure and platform resilience.
This is a leadership role at the heart of the organisation's data infrastructure, combining hands‑on technical assurance with people management, working across cloud and on‑premise environments in a regulated, high‑stakes financial services setting.
The Opportunity
You'll join a well‑resourced IT Infrastructure function, reporting into the Head of IT Infrastructure, with responsibility for the operational management, performance, security and continuous improvement of the organisation's database services. This role blends technical ownership with genuine leadership impact — ideal for an experienced DBA professional ready to step up and shape the strategy, standards and capability of a growing team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the day‑to‑day operation of database services, ensuring high availability, performance and reliability across all platforms
- Overseeing installation, configuration, patching, upgrades and lifecycle management
- Ensuring robust backup, recovery and disaster recovery solutions are in place and regularly tested
- Line managing the DBA team — setting objectives, coaching, and building team capability
- Leading capacity planning and performance tuning, and acting as escalation point for complex incidents
- Ensuring database environments meet security, regulatory and compliance requirements
- Defining database standards, governance and change management processes
- Managing relationships with vendors and third‑party service providers, and reporting on service performance to senior stakeholders
What They're Looking For
- Significant database administration experience, including team leadership or management
- Strong technical knowledge of enterprise platforms (SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL or equivalent)
- Proven track record managing performance, availability, backup and recovery
- Experience operating databases in complex, enterprise‑scale environments
- Strong incident, problem and change management background
- Experience with cloud or hybrid database platforms
- Experience working in regulated industries
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Relevant database or cloud certifications advantageous
Why This Role?
- Lead a skilled DBA team within a well‑established, global specialty insurer
- High level of influence over database strategy, standards and governance
- Modern Manchester city centre offices with a flexible hybrid model (2 days/week in office)
- Comprehensive benefits covering financial, physical, social and psychological wellbeing
- A genuinely collaborative culture that values individual contribution
If you're an experienced DBA leader looking to bring your technical expertise and team leadership skills to an established fintech business - let's talk.
Lead Database Administrator in Manchester employer: Loop Recruitment
Loop Recruitment is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers while working on high-scale platforms for the UK's leading financial services. Join us in London, where our inclusive work culture and focus on technical excellence make every day rewarding and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Database Administrator in Manchester
✨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 Lead Database Administrator in Manchester
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 Loop Recruitment. 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 Loop Recruitment
✨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 Loop Recruitment 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 — Loop Recruitment 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 Loop Recruitment's culture.
