Lead Database Administrator

Encore Capital Group; West Malling; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Lead Database Administrator to oversee a high-performing team while managing and optimizing their SQL Server estate. The successful candidate will lead technical projects, ensure compliance and security in a Cyber Essentials Plus environment, and stay current with new database technologies. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £75,000 and a range of excellent benefits, including health insurance and employee discounts.

Benefits

Health insurance

Employee discounts

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of Microsoft Database and Reporting technologies.
• Experience in high availability and DR features.
• Highly experienced in T-SQL and Powershell.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a high-performing team of Database Administrators.
• Manage and optimise SQL Server estate across environments.
• Deliver database components of complex projects.

Skills

SQL Server

SSIS

SSRS

Power BI

T-SQL

Powershell

High availability and DR features

Third-party backup technologies

Monitoring tools

Job description

We’re looking for a Lead Database Administrator to guide and inspire a high‑performing team while remaining hands‑on with the technologies that keep our business running. In this key role within IT Operations, you’ll take ownership of the availability, stability, and optimisation of our core database platforms - ensuring they’re maintained to industry best practice. Alongside leading an established team, you’ll bring deep technical expertise to deliver critical projects, handle day‑to‑day performance tuning, and troubleshoot complex issues to keep our systems operating smoothly.

What you can expect as an Lead Database Administrator:

• Salary of up to £75,000 DOE
• Perm
• Hybrid – Flexible

Not only are we offering a competitive salary and a fantastic bonus scheme, you’ll also be entitled to loads of great benefits including, discount and cash back on hundreds of high‑street shops and private health insurance, plus much more.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and support a high‑performing team of Database Administrators.
• Manage and optimise our SQL Server estate across on‑premises and Azure environments.
• Oversee database security, SOX compliance, backups, and evidence gathering.
• Ensure timely application of patches, updates, and service packs in a Cyber Essentials Plus environment.
• Stay current with vendor roadmaps and emerging database technologies, driving continual improvement.
• Deliver database components of complex projects and change initiatives.
• Troubleshoot performance issues, optimise systems, and resolve incidents effectively.
• Maintain accurate documentation and participate in the out‑of‑hours rota.
• Review the database estate and develop a roadmap for modernisation, cost‑efficiency, and simplification.

We are looking for someone with:

• Extensive experience of Microsoft Database and Reporting technologies including SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS, Power BI.
• Experience of high availability / DR features including Clustering, Always‑On Availability Groups, log shipping etc.
• Experience of third‑party backup technologies and monitoring tools.
• Highly experienced in T‑SQL and Powershell
• Self‑motivated and able to work off your own initiative.
• Ability to hit the ground running and get up to speed quickly and familiarise yourself with new concepts.

What happens next?

If this sounds like you and you’d like to join our rapidly expanding company that offers excellent career progression, then apply now!

Working for Cabot:

You’ll be working for an award winning; Investors in People Gold accredited organisation. We’re passionate about the ethical treatment of our customers and employees. Our mission is to create pathways to economic freedom. Our vision is to make credit accessible by partnering with our consumers to restore their financial health.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are very important to us at Cabot, and we value a multitude of diverse talent within our business. We want everyone to be themselves at work and encourage a culture that includes everyone. Our policies ensure that every candidate and employee are treated fairly and with equal opportunities.

**At Cabot we are highly regulated by our clients, as such, any successful candidates will have to undergo a basic credit check and criminal background check. Please note that we are unable to proceed to interview stage if a CCJ, IVA or Bankruptcy appears on a credit file, or if you do not have full right to work in the UK – we are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship.**