Database Administrator

Castle Trust Bank; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Private healthcare

25 days holiday + buy/sell 5

Volunteering day

Job summary

Castle Trust Bank in Basingstoke is seeking an experienced Database Administrator to support the reliability, security and performance of our database estate. You will monitor health, optimise performance, manage backup and recovery, and implement controlled changes for roughly 60 databases across 16 SQL Servers.

Working with the Lead Data Engineer and partner DBAs, you will contribute to Azure services adoption, automation and deployment best practices.

Qualifications

• Proven experience administering business-critical relational databases, including Microsoft SQL Server.
• Strong knowledge of database performance monitoring, tuning and optimisation.
• Strong knowledge of backup, restore, replication and disaster recovery processes.
• Experience investigating database issues using native and third-party monitoring tools.
• Scripting and automation experience, ideally using PowerShell.
• Windows Server and Active Directory environments understanding.
• Experience delivering changes through structured change management and deployment processes, ideally using Azure DevOps.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the performance, availability and security of our Microsoft SQL Server estate, including monitoring, performance tuning, capacity management and access controls.
• Delivering database changes, patching and security updates through established change and release processes.
• Maintaining backup, restore and disaster recovery processes, including supporting regular recovery testing.
• Resolving incidents, addressing root causes and participating in the on-call rota where required.
• Driving continuous improvement through automation, source control, documentation and operational best practice.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Azure

PowerShell

Monitoring & tuning

Disaster recovery

Incident management

Communication

Education

SQL Server / Azure certification

Tools

SSMS

Azure DevOps

Monitoring tools

Job description

Database Administrator

“Build Resilient Data Services. Keep the Bank Running.”

At Castle Trust Bank, we pride ourselves in being a fintech challenger bank, providing specialist property mortgages, retail finance lending and savings accounts to a variety of customers.

We are looking for an experienced Database Administrator to support the reliability, security and performance of our database estate.

Working closely with our Lead Data Engineer, infrastructure teams and third‑party DBA partner, you will help manage approximately 60 databases across 16 licensed SQL Servers, spanning production and non‑production environments.

This role is based in Basingstoke on a Hybrid basis working 3 days in the office and 2 days at home.

The role and what you’ll lead and deliver:

This is a hands‑on technical role where you will monitor database health, optimise performance, manage backup and recovery processes, investigate incidents and implement controlled database changes. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of our data platform, including greater use of Azure services, automation, source control and deployment best practices.

If you enjoy solving complex technical problems, improving operational processes and helping to maintain secure and resilient data services, this could be the role for you.

You will be:

• Supporting the performance, availability and security of our Microsoft SQL Server estate, including monitoring, performance tuning, capacity management and access controls.
• Delivering database changes, patching and security updates through established change and release processes.
• Maintaining backup, restore and disaster recovery processes, including supporting regular recovery testing.
• Resolving incidents, addressing root causes and participating in the on‑call rota where required.
• Driving continuous improvement through automation, source control, documentation and operational best practice.

Essential

• Proven experience administering business‑critical relational databases, including Microsoft SQL Server.
• Strong knowledge of database performance monitoring, tuning and optimisation.
• Strong knowledge of backup, restore, replication and disaster recovery processes.
• Experience investigating database issues using native and third‑party monitoring tools.
• You will hold a relevant Microsoft SQL Server, Azure or equivalent database technology certification, or be able to demonstrate comparable practical experience.
• Scripting and automation experience, ideally using PowerShell.
• A good understanding of Windows Server and Active Directory environments.
• Experience producing technical procedures, documentation and operational runbooks.
• Experience working with third‑party service providers and support partners.
• Experience delivering changes through structured change management and deployment processes, ideally using Azure DevOps or similar tooling.
• Strong communication, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• A methodical and composed approach to incidents and production issues.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to continuous learning.

Desirable

• Azure‑based data services, including Synapse Analytics.
• Azure Data Factory, Azure Logic Apps or similar integration technologies.
• MySQL database administration.
• Structured and semi‑structured data formats.
• Network infrastructure and system dependencies affecting database services.
• Data warehousing, ETL processes and dimensional modelling.
• Experience supporting and maintaining SSRS and SSIS solutions.

Why join Castle Trust Bank?

• Competitive salary
• Performance bonus (based on individual and company performance)
• Generous contributory pension through Hargreaves Lansdown
• Life Assurance
• 25 days’ holiday + option to buy/sell 5 days
• Additional paid volunteering day
• Private healthcare through Equipsme (includes cash back for Dental and Optical treatment)
• Free access to BHSF Rise EAP to support colleague health and wellbeing
• Gym discounts
• Season ticket travel loans (if applicable)
• A supportive, inclusive culture where your work has real impact

Caught your attention? If so, we’d love to talk to you and tell you more about what it’s like to work at Castle Trust Bank - The Place To Work!

Castle Trust Bank is an equal opportunity employer where we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues to thrive. We welcome applications from all and will not discriminate against any status/characteristic protected by law and will always base our decisions on merit.

We are proud to support people with disabilities and are committed to be a Disability Confident employer. If you are a person with a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be offered an interview. Should you require any reasonable adjustment to support you in your application for one of our opportunities, please contact [e-mail]

https://www.castletrust.co.uk/careers/who-we-are