At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise robust database systems for critical applications.
- Company: Join a collaborative tech company that inspires progress and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for remote work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring data availability and performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with database platforms like SQL Server, Azure SQL, and MongoDB is essential.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a fast-paced, innovative setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
.With a company culture rooted in collaboration, expertise and innovation, we aim to promote progress and inspire our clients, employees, investors and communities to achieve their greatest potential. Our work is the catalyst that helps others achieve their goals. In short, We Enable Possibility℠.Arch Capital Services – Sr. Database Administrator# **Job Summary**As a Senior Database Administrator, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing robust and scalable database systems that support business-critical applications. Leveraging your deep expertise in database platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, Snowflake, and MongoDB, you will ensure the availability, security, and performance of enterprise data environments. You will play a key role in high availability, disaster recovery planning, backup and restore operations, and performance tuning, while also identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency through automation. Your work will align with industry best practices and the well-architected framework, ensuring reliable, compliant, and cost-effective database infrastructure across both on-premises and cloud environments.# **Brief Description*** Manages and supports critical enterprise database systems with a focus on **high availability**, **disaster recovery**, and **business continuity** using technologies such as **Always On Availability Groups**, clustering, replication, and log shipping.* Expert in the **design, administration, optimization, and migration** of databases across multiple platforms including **Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, Snowflake, MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle, and Cosmos DB**.* Proficient in **T-SQL**, **PowerShell**, and scripting languages for automating routine database tasks, improving performance, and managing backup/recovery operations.* Experienced in implementing and managing **secure, scalable**, and **compliant database environments**, applying best practices for encryption, auditing, authentication, and authorization.* Skilled in using **performance tuning** tools and techniques to monitor and optimize database health, troubleshoot issues, and proactively address performance bottlenecks.* Develops and maintains **resilient database architectures** that align with business objectives and support both on-prem and cloud-native applications.* Maintains high attention to detail in implementing **maintenance plans, DR strategies**, patching cycles, and upgrades to ensure data availability and integrity.* Collaborates with application teams, infrastructure engineers, and business stakeholders to provide database support, resolve issues, and guide platform improvements.* Designs, documents, and implements **database recovery procedures**, failover processes, and operational standards to reduce downtime and ensure system continuity.* Supports strategic planning and project execution, ensuring that database infrastructure evolves in line with enterprise technology goals and compliance requirements.* Works closely with operations teams to **automate repetitive tasks**, monitor critical systems, and implement alerting frameworks for proactive incident response.* Aligns database strategy with overall business and IT objectives, helping prioritize database-related investments and resources effectively.# **Responsibilities*** Design, deploy, and maintain **high availability** and **disaster recovery** solutions, including **SQL Server Always On Availability Groups**, replication, log shipping, and database mirroring.* Administer and optimize **relational and non-relational databases**, including **Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, Snowflake, MongoDB**, and **Cosmos DB**.* Develop and manage **backup and recovery strategies** to ensure data protection and minimal downtime.* Monitor database health, performance, and capacity using tools such as **SQL Profiler, Extended Events, Query Store, and Azure Monitor**.* Implement **security best practices** including encryption, access control, auditing, and compliance reporting.* Perform proactive database tuning, indexing, and query optimization to improve performance and scalability.* Design and maintain database maintenance plans, jobs, alerts, and automation scripts (T-SQL, PowerShell, etc.).* Work closely with application teams to support database development, data migrations, deployments, and troubleshooting.* Maintain documentation for infrastructure configurations, operational procedures, and disaster recovery plans.* Provide production support, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis for database-related incidents and outages.* Participate in capacity planning, patching cycles, and upgrade projects to maintain system stability and support growth.* Support cloud database architecture and services in **Microsoft Azure**, including **Managed Instance, Azure SQL DB**, and **Azure Data Factory pipelines**.# **Knowledge and Skills*** Extensive experience with **Microsoft SQL Server** architecture, administration, and optimization, including support for **Always On Availability Groups**, failover clustering, replication, and log shipping for high availability and disaster recovery.* Strong working knowledge of **Azure data platform services**, such as **Azure SQL Database**, **Azure SQL Managed Instance**, and **Azure Data Factory**, including provisioning, configuration, security, and performance management.* Proficient in **T-SQL**, **PowerShell**, and scripting for automating database maintenance tasks, backups, monitoring, and incident response.* Hands-on experience with **Snowflake** administration, including database performance tuning, role-based access control, storage/compute optimization, and data integration.* Experience with **NoSQL and cloud-native databases** such as **MongoDB**, **Cosmos DB**, and **MongoDB Atlas**, including data modeling, indexing strategies, and backup/restoration processes.* Deep understanding of **database backup and recovery strategies**, including point-in-time recovery, transaction log management, offsite backups, and recovery testing.* Skilled in **performance tuning**, query optimization, execution plan analysis, and index management to ensure database efficiency and stability.* Strong grasp of **database security** principles, including authentication, authorization, encryption (at rest and in transit), auditing, and compliance (e.g., SOX, HIPAA, GDPR).* Experience managing **database upgrades, patching cycles**, and schema deployments in complex production environments with minimal downtime.* Proficiency in **monitoring tools** such as SQL Server Profiler, Query Store, Extended Events, Redgate SQL Monitor, and Azure Monitor for proactive database health checks.* Familiarity with **incident and change management processes**, including working with ITSM tools like **ServiceNow** to handle tickets, outages, and root cause analysis.* Ability to interpret business requirements and translate them into resilient, scalable database designs aligned with enterprise architecture goals.* Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex database issues under pressure.* Excellent documentation and communication skills to create runbooks, architectural diagrams, SOPs, and to work effectively with cross-functional teams.* Demonstrated experience leading or supporting **database modernization**, **cloud migration**, and **data platform consolidation** initiatives.# **Preferred Qualifications*** Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related field, or 10 years equivalent work experience across database and software engineering roles* Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate database concepts to a technical and non-technical audience.* Exceptional Customer and End User Experience focus for database services and applications.* #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Database Administrator employer: McNeil & Co.
Contact Detail:
McNeil & Co. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Database Administrator
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to database management. You never know who might be looking for someone with your skills, and personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a portfolio showcasing your database projects, including any optimisations or automations you've implemented. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also gives potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to their team.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common database scenarios and challenges. Be ready to discuss your experience with high availability and disaster recovery solutions, as well as how you've tackled performance tuning in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Us
Don't forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through our platform not only streamlines the process but also shows your genuine interest in joining our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Database Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Database Administrator role. Highlight your expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, and other relevant platforms to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for database management and how your experience can help us enable possibility. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We love seeing technical prowess! Include details about your experience with T-SQL, PowerShell, and any automation you've implemented. This will demonstrate your ability to optimise and maintain robust database systems.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our collaborative culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at McNeil & Co.
✨Know Your Databases Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, Snowflake, and MongoDB. Be prepared to discuss your experience with high availability and disaster recovery solutions, as well as your familiarity with T-SQL and PowerShell. The more specific examples you can provide about your past work, the better!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to database performance tuning or disaster recovery. Think about how you would approach these challenges and articulate your thought process clearly. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to handle pressure.
✨Highlight Collaboration Experience
Since the company values collaboration, share examples of how you've worked with application teams or infrastructure engineers in the past. Discuss any projects where you contributed to improving operational efficiency or automating tasks, as this aligns with their focus on teamwork and innovation.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. Inquire about their current database architecture, future projects, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.