Database Administrator (DBA) in London

Database Administrator (DBA) in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Methods Business and Digital Technology

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and optimise PostgreSQL databases while ensuring data integrity and performance.
  • Company: Join a leading IT consultancy transforming the public sector in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, wellness programmes, and generous time off.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent growth opportunities and supportive leadership.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on society through exciting projects and innovative technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience with PostgreSQL and strong problem-solving skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: Remote and client site

About us

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future. Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses - with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet. We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them. Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Database Administrator to support critical services, ensuring the integrity, availability, performance, and security of data across highly regulated justice systems. This role operates within a live service environment where reliability, auditability, and data protection are paramount. You will work across BAU support (AMS/3rd Line) and change delivery (PET / Product teams), ensuring databases are resilient, compliant, and optimised to support operational case working systems. You will play a key role in supporting PostgreSQL (Azure Flexible Server) estates, contributing to performance tuning, incident resolution, data governance, and the evolution of reporting and analytics capabilities (including Microsoft Fabric).

Requirements

  • Database Operations & Live Service Support
  • Manage and maintain PostgreSQL databases (Azure Flexible Server)
  • Provide BAU support (2nd/3rd line) for production incidents, including performance degradation, outages, and data issues
  • Ensure high levels of availability, resilience, and operational stability across all environments (Dev, SIT, NFT, Prod)
  • Support release activities, validating database changes and ensuring safe deployment into live service
  • Performance, Monitoring & Optimisation
    • Monitor database performance using tools such as Dynatrace and native Azure monitoring
    • Diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks (queries, indexing, storage, connection limits)
    • Tune SQL queries and optimise schema design for high-volume transactional systems
    • Support capacity planning and scaling for large datasets (including JSONB-heavy workloads)
  • Security, Compliance & Data Governance
    • Implement and manage access controls, roles, and permissions, aligning with Government security policies
    • Ensure compliance with: UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 (Law Enforcement Processing)
    • Cross Government security standards and retention policies
    • Support audit and forensic analysis by ensuring data traceability and integrity
    • Work with security and architecture teams to reduce over-permissioning and role sprawl
  • Backup, Recovery & High Availability
    • Design and maintain backup and recovery strategies (PITR, snapshots, geo-redundancy)
    • Support disaster recovery planning and testing
    • Implement and maintain high availability patterns (replication, failover)
  • Cloud & Platform Engineering
    • Manage and optimise databases hosted in Microsoft Azure Flexible Server
    • Support infrastructure-as-code deployments using Terraform
    • Contribute to cost optimisation and efficient resource utilisation
    • Troubleshoot platform-level issues (extensions, replication, CDC, permissions)
  • Data & Reporting Integration
    • Support integration of operational data into analytics platforms such as Microsoft Fabric
    • Assist with ingestion patterns (CDC, event-based, batch)
    • Work with data engineers to structure data for reporting and audit use cases
    • Address challenges with semi-structured data (e.g. JSON/JSONB fields)
  • Development Support & Collaboration
    • Collaborate with engineering teams on: Database design and schema evolution
    • Query optimisation
    • Data modelling for services and reporting
    • Support CI/CD pipelines and automated database deployments
    • Provide guidance on best practices for database usage within microservices

    Essential Skills & Experience

    • Technical
    • Strong experience with PostgreSQL, including:
    • Performance tuning
    • Indexing strategies
    • Query optimisation
    • JSON/JSONB handling
  • Experience with Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server
  • Proficiency in SQL and database troubleshooting
  • Experience with Terraform or similar IaC tooling
  • Understanding of:
    • Backup and recovery strategies
    • High availability and replication
    • Database security and access control
  • Operational & Analytical
    • Experience working in live service / production support environments
    • Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
    • Ability to diagnose complex issues across application and database layers
  • Collaboration & Communication
    • Ability to work across:
    • Product teams
    • Support teams (AMS / 3rd line)
    • Architecture and security functions
  • Strong stakeholder communication, including explaining technical issues to non-technical audiences
  • Desirable Skills

    • Experience with Microsoft Fabric or modern data platforms
    • Familiarity with observability tooling such as Dynatrace
    • Experience working within UK Government environments
    • Knowledge of:
    • CDC / data streaming patterns
    • Event-driven architectures
    • Audit and forensic data analysis

    Security & Clearance

    Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance.

    Benefits

    By joining us you can expect:

    • Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
    • Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
    • Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
    • A supportive and collaborative environment.

    As well as this, we offer:

    • Development access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme and training
    • Wellness 24/7 Confidential employee assistance programme
    • Social – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month as well as commitment to charitable causes
    • Time off 25 days a year
    • Pension Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
    • Discretionary Company Bonus based on company and individual performance
    • Life Assurance of 4 times base salary
    • Private Medical Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)
    • Worldwide Travel Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

    Database Administrator (DBA) in London employer: Methods Business and Digital Technology

    Methods is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on meaningful project work that impacts society, employees enjoy autonomy in their roles, access to continuous learning through platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and a range of benefits including private medical insurance and a generous pension scheme. The remote and client site flexibility allows for a balanced work-life integration, making it an attractive opportunity for those looking to thrive in the IT services sector.
    Methods Business and Digital Technology

    Contact Detail:

    Methods Business and Digital Technology Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Database Administrator (DBA) in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Methods. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects showcasing your database wizardry, don’t hesitate to share them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise beyond just words.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on common DBA scenarios and be ready to discuss how you’d handle performance issues or data security challenges. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Methods!

    We think you need these skills to ace Database Administrator (DBA) in London

    PostgreSQL
    Azure Flexible Server
    Performance Tuning
    Indexing Strategies
    Query Optimisation
    JSON/JSONB Handling
    SQL Proficiency
    Terraform
    Backup and Recovery Strategies
    High Availability and Replication
    Database Security and Access Control
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Root Cause Analysis
    Collaboration Skills
    Stakeholder Communication

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Database Administrator role. Highlight your experience with PostgreSQL, Azure, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don't forget to mention your problem-solving skills and experience in live service environments.

    Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical expertise in your application. Mention your experience with performance tuning, database security, and any tools like Terraform or Dynatrace that you've used. We love seeing candidates who can hit the ground running!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Methods Business and Digital Technology

    ✨Know Your PostgreSQL Inside Out

    Make sure you brush up on your PostgreSQL skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss performance tuning, indexing strategies, and how to handle JSON/JSONB data. They’ll likely ask you about real-world scenarios, so think of examples where you've optimised database performance or resolved complex issues.

    ✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

    Prepare to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, especially in live service environments. Think of specific incidents you've managed, how you diagnosed issues, and what steps you took to resolve them. This will show that you can handle the pressure of production support.

    ✨Understand Compliance and Security

    Since this role involves working with highly regulated systems, be familiar with UK GDPR and data protection laws. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented access controls and ensured compliance in previous roles. This knowledge will set you apart as a candidate who understands the importance of data governance.

    ✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders

    Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with product teams or security functions, highlighting your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business.

    Database Administrator (DBA) in London
    Methods Business and Digital Technology
    Location: London

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