Senior Database Administrator

Ofgem; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave after 2 years

Competitive salary

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme

Training and development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Ofgem, located in Glasgow, is seeking a Senior Database Administrator to lead a team that manages Azure database services. This role involves ensuring system security, performance, and reliability in a hybrid environment. You will work closely with architects to implement compliant database solutions.

The ideal candidate will possess strong Azure database experience, especially in SQL and automation, and have the ability to guide a team while collaborating effectively across departments.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Azure SQL and hybrid database environments.
• Strong experience in performance tuning and automation scripting.
• Ability to lead teams and translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support Azure database platforms, ensuring performance and security.
• Lead and mentor a team of Database Administrators.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and improve system stability.

Skills

Azure SQL

Database Performance Tuning

Automation (PowerShell, Azure CLI)

Database Security

Education

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

Tools

PowerShell

Terraform/Bicep

Job description

Successful candidates may be based in any of our office locations – Cardiff, Glasgow, or London. We especially welcome applicants from Cardiff and Glasgow. We operate a hybrid working model, with employees expected to spend one day per week (20% of working time) in the office.

Job summary

Across government, modern data platforms underpin the delivery of secure, reliable and insight-driven digital services. As organisations move from legacy systems to cloud-based environments, strong database capability—combining performance, security and resilience—has never been more important. Ofgem plays a vital role in the UK’s energy system, protecting consumers and enabling a more secure, fair and sustainable energy future, and effective database services are fundamental to this mission.

Ofgem is on an ambitious transformation journey. Within the Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) directorate, we are modernising our data platforms, expanding our use of Azure and strengthening how database services are managed across hybrid environments. This includes improving performance, enhancing security and embedding consistent standards across data infrastructure.

As a Senior Database Administrator (Management), you will play a key role in delivering and maintaining Ofgem’s database services. You will lead a team of DBAs while working hands‑on across Azure and hybrid environments, ensuring systems are secure, reliable and aligned with enterprise standards. You will combine technical expertise with team leadership, supporting colleagues, influencing delivery and driving continuous improvement across the database estate.

This is a technically focused role within a fast‑paced and evolving environment, with the opportunity to contribute to both operational services and ongoing transformation.

Responsibilities

• Managing and supporting Azure database platforms, ensuring performance, availability and security
• Leading and mentoring a team of Database Administrators
• Working with architects and delivery teams to implement database solutions aligned with standards
• Troubleshooting complex issues and improving system resilience and stability
• Driving automation using tools such as PowerShell, Azure CLI and Terraform/Bicep
• Overseeing backup, recovery, patching and disaster recovery processes
• Ensuring compliance with security, governance and audit requirements
• Contributing to continuous improvement across database platforms and processes

Qualifications

A technically strong database professional who can operate across both legacy and modern cloud environments. You will bring hands‑on Azure database experience alongside the ability to lead others and improve services.

You may come from a DBA, infrastructure or cloud engineering background, but you will demonstrate:

• Strong experience with Azure SQL, Managed Instances and hybrid database environments
• Experience in performance tuning, optimisation and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of database security, access control and compliance
• Experience with automation and scripting (PowerShell, Azure CLI, T‑SQL, Terraform/Bicep)
• Ability to collaborate across teams and translate technical concepts clearly

A relevant certification such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate is expected.

Experience leading teams and working in regulated environments would be beneficial.

Person specification

• Deep experience with Azure SQL Database, Managed Instances, SQL Server on Azure VMs including provisioning, scaling, optimising performance, and managing cost tiers (Lead Criteria).
• Performance optimisation using Azure Monitor, Query Performance, index optimisation, partitioning, and query refactoring (Lead Criteria).
• Strong implementation experience of Transparent Data Encryption, Always Encrypted, encryption at rest/in transit, Azure AD authentication, firewall rules, RBAC, auditing; ensuring standards like GDPR/HIPAA are met.
• Skilled in automated backups, replication, Always On availability groups, failover clusters; setting RPO/RTO targets and validating operational resilience.
• Strong command of PowerShell, Azure CLI, T‑SQL scripts, Terraform/Bicep; automates deployments, scaling, patching, and performance alerts.
• Experienced in assessing requirements, choosing migration strategies (online/offline), executing migrations from on‑prem to Azure, and integrating hybrid environments.
• Experience in planning team workloads.
• Ability to provide technical guidance to team members and wider technology community.
• Ability to translate technical issues for non‑technical stakeholders and collaborate across teams.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

• You will also be asked to prepare a presentation. Full details of the presentation will be included in the invitation to interview.

Benefits

• Annual leave of 30 days after 2 years of service.
• Competitive salary and contribution to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Hybrid working with flexibility to work remotely.
• Access to training and development opportunities.
• Supportive and inclusive work environment contributing to national energy security.