Senior SQL DBA - Sunderland

Randstad Technologies Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT recruitment firm seeks a Senior SQL Database Administrator to manage high availability and perform database optimizations. The ideal candidate will have strong SQL Server experience and proficiency in T-SQL, with a focus on supporting cloud and on-prem environments. This role offers a competitive salary of up to 55,000, flexible working options, and an extensive benefits package including private healthcare and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

31 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Health Cash Plan

Generous pension scheme

Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicles

Enhanced parental and family leave

Qualifications

• Solid experience in SQL Server database administration.
• Strong understanding of high availability and recovery strategies.
• Experience with various ETL tools.

Responsibilities

• Configure and manage high availability and disaster recovery solutions.
• Implement and test backup and recovery procedures.
• Monitor performance metrics and carry out optimisations.

Skills

SQL Server database administration

T-SQL writing and troubleshooting

ETL tools experience

Strong communication skills

High availability strategies

Tools

GitHub

SSIS

Azure Data Factory

Job description

Senior SQL Database Administrator
Location: Hybrid - Sunderland (with flexible working)
Salary: Up to 55,000 + excellent benefits

We're working with a respected organisation in Sunderland to recruit a Senior SQL Database Administrator. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an experienced IT team and take a lead role in the ongoing development, optimisation, and resilience of the organisation's database environment.

You'll be responsible for maintaining high availability, supporting integrations across platforms, and ensuring the reliability and performance of systems critical to business operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Configure and manage high availability and disaster recovery solutions including Always On Availability Groups, mirroring, and clustering.
  
• Implement and test backup and recovery procedures to safeguard data.
  
• Monitor performance metrics and carry out tuning and optimisation as required.
  
• Support development and integration efforts across cloud and on-prem environments.
  
• Use version control tools (e.g. GitHub, Bitbucket) to manage database scripts and schema changes.
  
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation and system records.
  
• Collaborate with software developers, analysts, and other teams to deliver scalable and secure database services.
  
• Provide 2nd/3rd line support and investigate root causes of system issues.
  

What We're Looking For:

• Solid experience in SQL Server database administration.
  
• Strong understanding of high availability, backup, and recovery strategies.
  
• Proficient in writing and troubleshooting T-SQL.
  
• Experience with ETL tools (e.g. SSIS, Azure Data Factory, Informatica, Talend).
  
• Familiarity with version control and collaborative working in a support or project setting.
  
• Strong communication skills and a methodical, team-focused approach.
  

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience with open-source RDBMS (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
  
• Familiarity with Redgate tools (SQL Toolbelt, Backup Pro, SQL Monitor).
  

Benefits:

• Up to 55,000 salary depending on experience
  
• 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy more
  
• Flexible and hybrid working, including early Friday finishes
  
• Health Cash Plan - cashback on optical, dental, therapies, and more (includes free child cover)
  
• Access to private healthcare through the plan
  
• Generous pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
  
• Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicles
  
• Enhanced parental and family leave
  
• Business mileage allowance
  
• Life assurance (3x salary)
  

Please note: This role is subject to a basic DBS check, funded by the employer.

Randstad Technologies Ltd is a leading specialist recruitment business for the IT & Engineering industries. Please note that due to a high level of applications, we can only respond to applicants whose skills & qualifications are suitable for this position. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.