Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared

CBS Butler; Reading; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

CBS Butler is seeking a Senior SQL Server DBA to support a secure public sector environment in Reading. This hands-on role requires active UK DV clearance and covers 2nd/3rd line SQL Server administration, patching, high availability and DR planning.

You will work closely with IT, security and application teams to maintain performance, security and reliability of critical databases, delivering improvements and automation via PowerShell and T-SQL.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior SQL Server DBA in production environments.
• Strong SQL Server administration across versions.
• Hands-on with WSFC, FCI and Always On.
• Strong T-SQL and PowerShell scripting.
• Experience with backup, recovery, DR and high availability.
• Performance tuning using execution plans, indexing, DMVs, Extended Events and Query Store.
• Security, AD integration and access management.
• Windows Server knowledge and SQL connectivity.
• Experience with ITIL incident, problem and change processes.
• Excellent troubleshooting and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Provide 2nd and 3rd line support across SQL Server environments.
• Administer and maintain SQL Server versions, patching and upgrades.
• Manage high availability, clustering, FCI and Always On AG.
• Lead database incident resolution and root cause analysis.
• Manage backups, restoration, DR arrangements and testing.
• Perform database performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Maintain database security, access controls and auditing.
• Develop automation using PowerShell and T-SQL.
• Collaborate with application, infrastructure, security and service teams.
• Maintain technical documentation and runbooks.

Skills

Senior SQL Server DBA

WSFC/FCI/AlwaysOn

PowerShell scripting

T-SQL

Backup and DR

Performance tuning

Security & AD

Incident management

Stakeholder mgmt

Tools

SSIS

SSRS

SSAS

PowerShell dbatools

Job description

Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared Location: Reading (Onsite) Rate: Up to £98 per hour Contract: 6 months Initial IR35: Inside IR35 Clearance: Active DV Clearance Required

We are seeking an experienced Senior SQL Server DBA to join a highly skilled technical team supporting business-critical database environments within a secure public sector organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on DBA with strong experience across Legacy and modern SQL Server platforms, providing 2nd and 3rd line support, maintaining database availability, security and performance, and driving continual service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 2nd and 3rd line support across production, pre-production and development SQL Server environments.

• Administer and maintain SQL Server versions , including patching, upgrades and migrations.

• Manage SQL Server high availability, clustering, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) and Always On Availability Groups.

• Lead database incident resolution, troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

• Manage backup, restore and disaster recovery arrangements, including resilience and failover testing.

• Perform database performance tuning, capacity management and optimisation.

• Maintain database security, access controls, auditing and compliance.

• Develop automation and Scripting solutions using PowerShell and T‑SQL.

• Work closely with application, infrastructure, security and service management teams.

• Maintain technical documentation, runbooks and operational standards.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior SQL Server DBA in business‑critical production environments.

• Strong SQL Server administration experience across versions .

• Hands‑on experience with Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), FCI and Always On Availability Groups.

• Strong T‑SQL and PowerShell Scripting skills.

• Experience of database backup, recovery, disaster recovery and high availability.

• Performance tuning using execution plans, indexing, DMVs, Extended Events and Query Store.

• Experience with SQL Server security, Active Directory integration and access management.

• Good knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory and SQL connectivity.

• Experience working within ITIL‑based incident, problem and change management processes.

• Excellent troubleshooting, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable Experience

• SSIS, SSRS and SSAS.

• CyberArk or other privileged access management tools.

• PowerShell dbatools, Redgate SQL Monitor, SCOM or SolarWinds.

• SQL Server upgrade and migration planning, including end‑of‑support and ESU.

• Azure SQL, Azure Managed Instance or Azure Arc.

• Experience within defence, government or secure environments.

Candidates must hold active UK DV Security Clearance to be considered for this opportunity.