Lead Database Administrator in Taunton

Are you an experienced Oracle Database specialist ready for your next challenge? Join us as a Lead Database Administrator at the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), where your expertise will underpin our mission as a world leading centre for hydrography. You will play a vital role in enhancing the user experience across our organisation. By developing, improving and maintaining the UKHO’s database platforms, you will support both our internal services and our commercial product portfolio, all critical to the smooth operation of the UKHO.

Working as part of our Enterprise Applications team, you will collaborate closely with the Enterprise Applications Team Manager and team colleagues to deliver technical services to internal customers to enable the wider business. While Oracle will be your primary focus, you’ll also contribute to wider systems built on MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and cloud hosted platforms. If you’re looking to broaden your expertise, we will support you with cross training and ongoing professional development to help you grow your skills across our full technology stack.

This is a reserved post and therefore it is essential that you are eligible to hold a reserved post. You will also need to hold and maintain DV clearance, and therefore we encourage you to check your eligibility before applying. This role is part of a team providing 24/7 cover through an on‑call rota. This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non‑contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK. The successful candidate is required to work from the Taunton office 3 days a week, however this is dependent on business need.

Day‑to‑day Responsibilities

• Deliver day to day support for the UKHO database estate.
• Plan, implement and manage maintenance activities, patches and upgrades.
• Diagnose and resolve complex or high risk issues using the appropriate system administration tools within SLAs.
• Analyse and resolve problems, providing long‑term solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Take ownership of business continuity processes, backups, high availability, replication and monitoring.
• Work closely with technical teams, business stakeholders and third parties to maintain performance, reliability, availability and interoperability.
• Evaluate, prioritise and work on database related incidents and change requests via the IT Portal.
• Constantly look for opportunities to improve database build standards, automation and support processes to enhance reliability and efficiency.

Support project activities including:

• Install, configure, integrate, upgrade and test database services for new projects.
• Act as a subject matter expert with database operations and standards, including the development of complex SQL and tuning of DML code.
• Work with other DBAs, developers and technical teams to ensure new database platforms meet security guidelines and audit requirements.
• Maintain system documentation, (standards, procedures, configurations, support materials) and support less experienced colleagues in their use.

Person specification

Experience

You should have extensive experience supporting Oracle 19c including Dataguard, RMAN and OEM Grid with a strong background in designing, implementing and maintaining Oracle database solutions. You will be confident troubleshooting complex operational incidents and performance issues. Experience with MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL or cloud hosted platforms would also be highly beneficial. We are looking for someone who is a strong team player, self‑motivated, and proactive, with a focus on delivering high quality solutions that meet UKHO business needs.

Essential attributes

• A strong team player with a focus on delivering high‑quality solutions that meet UKHO business needs.
• A collaborative, self‑motivated approach with a positive, proactive attitude.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism at all times.
• Ability to understand, analyse and translate complex business requirements into effective technical solutions.
• Experience contributing to future planning, technology roadmaps and long‑term improvement initiatives.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, plan and work independently when needed.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate options and implement appropriate solutions.
• Proven capability to provide technical leadership and guidance to team members.
• Confident decision making, balancing priorities, constraints and available information.
• Experience monitoring progress against targets, reporting effectively and taking action to resolve issues.

Behaviours

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 22/03/26
• Shortlisting: w/c 23/03/26
• Interviews: w/c 13/04/26

Nationality requirements:

DV – reserved. This is a Ministry of Defence reserved post and open to sole UK nationals only. Successful applicants will require Developed Vetting (DV) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 24 consecutive months within the last 10 years. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.