Lead Technical Database Administrator

The Vanguard Group; Wayne (PA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

The Vanguard Group is seeking a Lead Technical Database Administrator to provide expert-level DBA services for production, test, and development databases across multiple platforms.

Responsibilities include performance tuning, data modeling, backup/recovery, security, and mentoring staff within a hybrid work model. You will support high‑impact applications, drive data architecture planning, and manage data migration with minimal downtime.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of database-related experience including data modeling and performance optimization.
• Expertise across multiple mid-tier server and cloud platforms (On-Prem Oracle/SQL Server, AWS/Azure).
• Strong knowledge of data migration, data warehouse concepts, and implementation strategies.
• Experience with security, backup/recovery, and reliability for large-scale databases.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert DBA services and perform physical database design for critical applications.
• Monitor, optimize, and support databases across production, test, and development.
• Develop and maintain backups, recovery jobs, and security policies.
• Mentor staff and resolve complex issues escalated from junior team members.
• Lead data migration/conversion with minimal downtime and data integrity.
• Collaborate on data architecture planning and long-term scalability.

Skills

Database administration

Data modeling

Performance tuning

Cloud databases

AWS

Azure

SQL Server

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Automation scripting

Linux scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Oracle

SQL Server

PostgreSQL

DynamoDB

Redshift

AWS

Azure

Job description

The Lead Technical Database Administrator role provides expert level database administrator (DBA) services for production, test, and development databases across multiple platforms. Provides expert level physical database design, creation, and maintenance services. The role combines hands‑on DBA expertise with strategic data architecture planning, performance tuning, and support for high‑impact business applications.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides expert level DBA services and performs physical database design and development for critical business applications and databases with the largest numbers of interfaces and users.
• Develops and maintains database logs and bug lists.
• Understands the business requirements for applications and implements supporting database technical capabilities.
• Performs database administration for mid‑tier server and cloud platform databases.
• Performs day to day monitoring and optimizing, and provides developer support for creation of databases, tables, and indexes.
• Builds backup and recovery jobs (as needed).
• Conducts performance analysis of applications and database management systems.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous quality improvement of technical standards, processes, and technologies.
• Utilizes logical models to ensure efficient and reliable database performance.
• Reviews application designs for compliance with production acceptance requirements.
• Ensures backup, recovery, security, reliability, and performance of the systems.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures for ensuring the security and integrity of a database.
• Trains and mentors staff.
• Resolves the most complex issues elevated from staff with less experience.
• Tests and evaluates IT vendor products.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
• Designs and specifies the overall structure of databases and data warehouses based on functional and technical requirements.
• Develops strategies for data acquisition, archival recovery, and overall database implementation in alignment with long‑term scalability and business continuity.
• Manages data migration and conversion activities, ensuring minimal downtime and data integrity across systems.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex data processing issues related to large‑scale database environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years database administrator, data modeling, business systems analyst, development, or related work experience.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field or the equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Expertise in physical and logical data modeling, database design, and performance optimization.
• Strong hands‑on experience with multiple mid‑tier server and cloud database platforms (e.g., On‑Prem – Oracle, SQL Server, AWS/RDS – Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, RedShift).
• Knowledge of data migration, data warehouse architecture, and database implementation strategies.
• Strong experience in database administration and management across both cloud (AWS, Azure) and on‑premise environments.
• Expertise in database performance monitoring, tuning, and optimization.
• Proficiency in Linux scripting and automation for database and system operations.
• AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification preferred or equivalent cloud certification.

Special Factors

Sponsorship Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long‑term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in‑person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission‑driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long‑term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.

Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies, serves individual investors, institutions, employer‑sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals. We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.