Database Administrator (DBA) in Sheffield

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced SQL DBA to join the Chevin team. We are looking for someone with a proven track record of efficiently optimising Azure SQL databases to enhance and fine tune performance who is confident collaborating across multiple functions.

Job Description

For more than 30 years, Chevin have been developing and delivering innovative software solutions for the global fleet management industry. Our products and services are used by internationally recognised companies such as Cox Automotive, Canadian National Railway, Deloitte, and Accenture, through to not-for-profit organisations, global freight businesses, regional and local government. We have built a powerful platform that allows businesses to efficiently manage the complete lifecycle of a fleet, streamlining processes, improving performance, and ensuring compliance. Using the latest technology, we deliver a modularised suite to manage everything from vehicles and assets, all the way to people, drivers, and technicians.

Our focus has always been to entice and empower the best talent globally and support them to do great things. Creativity solving problems, passion for driving customer experience and value, and a pride in our work drives constant innovation. Our trusted teams embrace a positive mindset and demonstrate the high levels of accountability which are key to helping us scale and realise our goal of delivering exceptional employee and customer experience.

We have clear business objectives that filter down to individual goals, so that everyone in the business is clear on what they need to do to contribute effectively. We believe this makes Chevin an empowering place to do your best work.

What we need

We are seeking an experienced SQL DBA with a proven track record of efficiently optimising Azure SQL databases to enhance and fine tune performance. In this role, you will be responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of our company’s SQL databases. You will work closely with Engineering, Support and Professional Services to design, implement, and maintain robust data solutions that meet our business and customer requirements.

What you will need to do

• Database performance monitoring – Regularly monitor and report on database performance fine tuning requirements, with data driven analysis and prioritisation.
• Process and documentation – Identify, document, and implement best practice SQL database performance policies, both internally and externally.
• Performance optimisation and automation – Identify and resolve database performance issues, including optimizing slow-performing SQL queries, tuning indexes, and improving execution plans to ensure efficient data retrieval and processing.
• Development and collaboration – Work with development teams on application development, designing and implementing database solutions, assisting data modelling, schema design, query optimization, and indexing strategies to improve application performance.
• Software migration support – Participate and lead in the planning and execution of database migrations and legacy to SaaS application upgrades.
• Change management – Manage changes to the database environment in a controlled manner.
• Security and compliance – Ensure adherence to compliance and regulatory standards for data residency, handling, retention, and processing, supporting with defined policies and procedures.
• Vendor management and cost control – Monitor and manage our Azure subscription services and costs, identifying trends and cost saving opportunities through optimisation.
• Elastic pool optimisation – Evaluate SQL elastic pool performance and help identify opportunities to reduce client-specific query and usage strain.
• Legacy infrastructure clean-up – Contribute to ongoing efforts to bring consistency across existing database environments, with a focus on clarity and maintainability.
• Client distribution analysis – Analyse client placement across Azure VMs and provide actionable guidance to improve current performance and support future automation efforts.
• Access control improvements – Assist in refining access strategies within Azure, including support for Microsoft Entra integration to enhance identity-based controls.

What experience do you need to have?

Essential:

• Proven 5 years of experience as a DBA, with Azure cloud-based database services.
• Knowledge of the design, configuration and maintenance of Azure Services.
• Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent.
• Familiarisation in building distributed, scalable & authenticated systems.
• Proficient in Azure best practices and experienced with Azure-native monitoring tools.
• Shell scripting experience using shell interpreters like PowerShell and Bash.
• Familiarisation with Azure SQL Server maintenance and configuration.
• Expertise in SQL execution plans, indexing, and query tuning to optimize performance in high-transaction environments.
• Comfortable working in active Azure production environments

Desirable:

• Oracle and Oracle Cloud experience.
• Automation experience and practical application of AI.
• Familiarity with tools such as Power BI, Grafana, or Azure-native dashboards for real-time database performance monitoring.

As a person

• Detail orientated and data driven.
• Passionate about maintaining high-performance, secure, and scalable database systems.
• Confident in project leadership, driving forward process enforcement and efficiencies.
• Strong problem-solving skills coupled with a pragmatic approach to solution identification.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fostering collaborative team working environments.
• Highly productive with optimal time management skills.

Regular, 1 opening available.