At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead optimisation of a large-scale SQL Server estate and resolve performance challenges.
- Company: Dynamic consultancy firm focused on innovative data solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunity for impactful contributions.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in optimising enterprise data platforms and enhancing performance.
- Qualifications: Extensive SQL Server experience and strong performance tuning skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
SQL Server Warehouse Consultant (Contract) 3-Month Initial Contract Pay up to £595/day Hybrid - Manchester Area
The Role
We're looking for a SQL Server Performance & Data Warehouse Consultant to lead a critical optimisation programme across a large‑scale Microsoft SQL Server estate. This is a hands‑on consultancy engagement focused on identifying and resolving performance, storage, and scalability challenges within an enterprise data platform. The headline environment is an 80TB SQL Server 2022 Data Warehouse, and we're looking for someone who can quickly assess the landscape, identify root causes, implement improvements, and leave the team with a clear roadmap for the future. This isn't a role for someone who only looks at SQL Server in isolation. You'll be expected to investigate performance across the entire stack, including infrastructure, storage, virtualisation, networking, and operating systems, ensuring bottlenecks are identified wherever they exist.
The Opportunity
The platform continues to grow rapidly, bringing new challenges around performance, storage consumption, maintenance windows, and operational efficiency. The team needs a consultant who can bring structure, expertise, and pragmatic recommendations that deliver measurable improvements. You’ll take ownership of a full technical assessment, implement agreed optimisation initiatives, and produce a prioritised remediation roadmap that supports long‑term platform growth and scalability.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Reviewing database architecture, filegroup design, storage configuration, and maintenance strategies
- Analysing workload characteristics to identify performance, capacity, and storage bottlenecks
- Optimising query performance through execution plan analysis, indexing, statistics management, and workload tuning
- Diagnosing complex SQL Server issues including blocking, deadlocking, parameter sensitivity, TempDB contention, memory grants, parallelism, and execution plan instability
- Leveraging modern SQL Server 2022 capabilities including Query Store, Intelligent Query Processing, Parameter Sensitive Plan Optimisation, partitioning, compression, and columnstore technologies
- Producing a prioritised remediation roadmap balancing risk, effort, and technical value
- Delivering documentation and knowledge transfer to ensure the internal team can continue the optimisation journey
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive experience supporting and optimising large-scale, multi-terabyte SQL Server environments
- Deep expertise in SQL Server performance tuning, query optimisation, indexing, and statistics management
- Strong understanding of SQL Server internals, storage architecture, transaction logs, and capacity planning
- Proven experience using Query Store, DMVs, Extended Events, wait statistics, and performance baselining techniques
- Experience optimising data warehouse environments, including partitioning, compression, and columnstore strategies
- A consultant mindset with the ability to assess, recommend, implement, and communicate effectively with both technical and leadership stakeholders
What Success Looks Like
By the end of the engagement, you’ll have delivered a comprehensive technical assessment, implemented key performance improvements, created a prioritised optimisation roadmap, and equipped the Data Engineering team with the knowledge and documentation needed to support future growth. If you’re an experienced SQL Server specialist who enjoys solving complex performance challenges at enterprise scale, we’d love to hear from you.
Sql Server Performance & Data Warehouse Consultant in Manchester employer: Lorien
Join a forward-thinking company in Manchester that values technical expertise and offers a dynamic work culture. With a focus on hybrid working, flexible hours, and a strong emphasis on employee growth, this role provides the opportunity to lead impactful projects while maintaining a hands-on engineering position. Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, and the chance to shape the future of corporate infrastructure services in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sql Server Performance & Data Warehouse Consultant in Manchester
✨Show off Your Skills with a Public Portfolio
Take the time to create a public portfolio that showcases your database management projects. Include case studies, problem-solving examples, and even any open-source contributions you’ve made. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your expertise to potential clients!
✨Join Freelance Communities
Get involved in freelance platforms and community groups specific to database management, like Stack Overflow or GitHub discussions. Not only can you find opportunities, but you can also network with others in the field who might have leads or recommendations.
✨Use Social Media Wisely
Utilise platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to share insights about database management trends, tips, or your personal achievements. Regularly posting updates can increase your visibility and attract potential clients looking for someone with your expertise.
✨Target Clients in Specific Industries
Think about industries that rely heavily on database management, like e-commerce or finance. Tailor your outreach to these sectors by showcasing how your skills can solve their specific challenges. This focused approach can help you land projects more effectively!
We think you need these skills to ace Sql Server Performance & Data Warehouse Consultant in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Projects:When you're applying for a freelance role like Sql Server Performance & Data Warehouse Consultant in database management, we really want to see your practical experience. Share links to any relevant projects you've worked on, be it through GitHub or your own website. This gives us a real sense of your skills and approach to problem-solving.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Tailor your CV to spotlight your expertise in database languages and tools like SQL, MongoDB, or data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications or courses you've completed that underscore your proficiency—this is key for standing out in database management!
Be Transparent About Your Availability:As a freelancer, it's super important to be upfront about your availability. In your application, mention how many hours you can commit each week and if you're open to different time zones. This helps us understand if you're a good fit for our schedule at Lorien.
Include Your Rates:To avoid any confusion later on, be sure to include your rates in your application. Whether you're charging hourly or per project, this transparency will help us evaluate your fit for our budget right from the start—it's all about making things easier for both parties.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Showcase Your Database Wizardry
As a freelance database manager, it's really important to have a strong portfolio that demonstrates your previous projects. Bring detailed case studies to the interview, showcasing how you optimised databases for clients, solved specific problems, and what tools you used like SQL, MongoDB or Oracle. This not only proves your skills but also gives potential clients a real idea of what they can expect from you.
✨Brush Up on Your Troubleshooting Skills
Expect to face some tough technical questions during your interview, especially around troubleshooting database issues. Be prepared to talk through scenarios where you successfully resolved data integrity issues or performance bottlenecks. Showing your thought process in these situations can really impress potential clients, as it highlights your problem-solving abilities.
✨Know Your Worth and Be Ready to Pitch
Freelancing often comes down to negotiation, so have a clear understanding of your rates and be ready to explain the value you bring. Be prepared to justify your pricing based on your expertise and the positive outcomes from your past projects. This confidence can make a big difference in securing both the job and a fair fee.
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Trends
The database-management field is constantly evolving, so being up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies (like cloud-based solutions or data security practices) will give you an edge. Mention any recent upgrades or certifications you’ve completed, as this shows your commitment to staying ahead in this fast-paced industry and makes you a more attractive candidate for Lorien.
