Database Administrator

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health services provider in Exeter is seeking a Database Administrator. You will manage the database environment, ensuring high availability and the design of database solutions. Ideal candidates have a degree in informatics and significant experience in SQL environments, preferably in a public sector context. The position offers a standard work week, generous holiday entitlements, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus public holidays

Pay enhancements for out of hours

Car leasing scheme

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in the area of informatics.
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft SQL Environments.
• Public sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operation of complex database systems.
• Plan and implement database solutions.
• Ensure high availability and performance of critical systems.

Skills

Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Environments

Experience in software applications development

Understanding of Service Level Agreements

Education

Degree in Informatics or equivalent

Job description

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Database Administrator

The closing date is 12 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team as Database Administrator.

Working as a senior technical expert the Database Administrator has complete management responsibility for the Trust's Database Management Systems (DBMS). Specifically, to proactively manage the database environment in order to ensure maximum availability and efficient operation of the 24/7x365 business critical systems that are relied upon for real time operations in the Control Rooms / Call Centres.

In addition the role of Database Administrator extends to the design and implementation of database solutions across all areas of the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Formulate strategic plans for Trust wide database management in terms of resource, costs, business continuity, availability and impact.

Responsible for the daily management and operation of complex database systems and ensuring that business critical systems are highly available and operating at optimal performance.

Plan and carry out proactive preventative maintenance of database environments across the entire database landscape to achieve required high availability and performance, including design of database schemas, creation of necessary software, to load, unload, reload or reorganise data with databases.

Focus on the achievement of agreed service levels, Key Performance Indicators and performance reviews. Also investigate complaints through the escalation procedure.

Take overall responsibility for technical design, implementation & support of database related services.

Responsible for taking direct action to recover database services in the event of disruption acting on own initiative.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in the area of informatics

Previous Experience

• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft SQL Environments
• Extensive experience of working in a software applications development role for client server and web based solutions
• Full application design life cycle from design to implementation of operational systems
• Public sector experience: national or local government, NHS or 'blue light' services
• Basic contract management, Service Level Agreements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Exeter HQ