SQL Database Administrator

SQL Database Administrator

Location: Manchester / Birmingham / Sheffield / Chelmsford (Hybrid: 3 office / 2 WFH)

Salary: Up to £65,000 + benefits

Sector: Professional Services / Legal IT

Type: Permanent

What's on offer:

Salary up to £65,000

Hybrid working: 3 days in office / 2 days WFH

Modernising SQL and Azure environment with strong investment

The opportunity

We are working with a major professional services organisation seeking an experienced SQL Database Administrator to join a specialist team supporting large, business-critical SQL Server and Azure SQL platforms. This is a hands-on position where you'll play a key role in maintaining performance, stability, and resilience across the firm's core applications.

The role

• Administer and optimise SQL Server databases () across on-prem and Azure.
• Deliver performance tuning, query optimisation and advanced troubleshooting.
• Manage HA/DR including AlwaysOn AGs, clustering, backups, and failover.
• Monitor capacity, patching, security, and database integrity.
• Support application upgrades, releases, and T-SQL-driven integrations.
• Provide 3rd-line support for major incidents.
• Produce documentation, runbooks, and operational best practice.
• Work closely with developers, infrastructure, and external vendors.

What we're looking for

Essential:

• Strong commercial SQL Server DBA background in live production environments
• Azure SQL expertise (Managed Instance, SQL Database or SQL on Azure VMs)
• Proven HA/DR delivery: AlwaysOn, clustering, failover processes
• Deep performance tuning (execution plans, indexing, Query Store, Extended Events, wait stats)
• Confident T-SQL skills for diagnostics and automation
• Experience working within structured change control
• Clear communication skills and calm approach under pressure

Nice to have:

• Legal, insurance or professional services experience
• Exposure to DMS/PMS or other line-of-business systems
• SSIS, ADF or wider integration tooling experience
• Interest in cloud transformation and platform uplift initiatives.

How to apply

If you're an experienced SQL Database Administrator seeking a high-impact role in a modern, forward-thinking professional services environment, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.