Technical Operations Administrator

The Technical Operations Administrator supports IT Specialists in maintaining and improving the organisation’s technical estate. The role focuses on ensuring databases, servers, and core systems remain secure, reliable, and easy to operate. Responsibilities include database management, server patching and maintenance, system monitoring, and operational governance, alongside contributing to cybersecurity controls and compliance activities. The role combines routine operational tasks with broader improvement initiatives and includes responding to out-of-hours alerts and incidents, with a direct impact on system stability and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the administration, maintenance, and optimisation of Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL environments
• Manage backups, restores, recovery processes, and disaster recovery checks
• Monitor database health, performance, maintenance routines, and storage usage
• Administer and maintain Windows server infrastructure, including patching, updates, routine maintenance, and issue resolution
• Support the stability, performance, and availability of production and non-production systems
• Configure, review, and respond to monitoring and alerting across database and server environments
• Contribute to cybersecurity controls through secure configuration, patch compliance, access control, and least-privilege practices
• Assist with incident response, remediation, root cause analysis, and service improvement activities
• Maintain accurate technical documentation for systems, procedures, backups, and key data flows
• Work with Software, Engineering, and IT teams to support operational changes and technical improvements
• Help address high-priority alerts, incidents, and operational issues outside normal business hours where required

Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

Education: Qualification in Computer Science, Data Engineering, IT, or related field

Technical Skills:

• Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL administration
• Windows Server administration
• Azure infrastructure support
• Patching, lifecycle maintenance, and vulnerability remediation
• Backup, restore, recovery, and disaster recovery processes
• Infrastructure monitoring, alerting, and operational recovery
• Cybersecurity controls, secure administration, and system hardening
• Technical standards, governance, and documentation
• PowerShell or similar automation skills
• Root cause analysis and corrective action tracking

Relevant Experience:

• Strong experience in a hands-on role across databases, infrastructure, or systems
• Good SQL Server knowledge, including backups, restores, and maintenance
• Experience supporting Windows Server, including patching and updates
• Understanding of secure configuration, patching, and access control
• Experience using monitoring and alerting tools
• Strong troubleshooting skills across database, server, and system issues
• Clear documentation skills and accurate record keeping
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work well with developers, engineers, and IT teams
• Proactive, dependable, and security-conscious
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexible and adaptable
• Willing to support out-of-hours alerts and incidents
• Commercial awareness of the industries we operate in

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with additional database platforms such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
• Experience with Azure-hosted infrastructure or platform services
• Experience with PowerShell or other scripting and automation tools
• Exposure to cybersecurity frameworks or compliance standards such as Cyber Essentials
• Experience with vulnerability remediation, server hardening, or security monitoring
• Familiarity with backup, replication, failover, or disaster recovery technologies
• Exposure to monitoring and observability platforms
• Experience supporting production systems within formal change control processes
• Knowledge of cloud security, identity and access management, or role-based access control
• Exposure to data engineering, time-series data, or platform modernisation initiatives
• Experience using AI/Copilot tools responsibly

Competencies:

• Ability to work under pressure during operational issues and incidents
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work using own initiative and innovate where appropriate
• Ability to work with and integrate into the existing team
• Ability to think critically and quickly, with flexibility and adaptability
• Analytical skills for data, database, infrastructure, and security challenges
• Clear communication on technical, security, and performance topics
• Detail-oriented, with a focus on secure and reliable system administration
• Collaborative approach to cross-team support and service improvement
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining technical documentation
• Ability to prioritise work with security, service, and team priorities in mind

The Steam Thermal Solutions business is one of three businesses within Spirax Group. Spirax Sarco and Gestra are our two brands that form Steam Thermal Solutions and are global leaders in the supply of engineered solutions for the design, provision and maintenance of efficient industrial and commercial steam systems. Our Purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world.

Benefits:

You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts’ portal.

Everyone is Included at Spirax Group: We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.