SQL Server DBA

Kemper Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 186,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plans

401(k) match

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Kemper Corporation is seeking a senior SQL Server DBA to lead architecture, deployment, and ongoing optimization of enterprise SQL Server environments across on-premises and cloud platforms. The role emphasizes high availability, disaster recovery, and security controls while supporting migration efforts to AWS.

The position requires extensive experience with SQL Server, Always On, clustering, and performance tuning, along with automation skills in PowerShell and IaC tools.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years hands-on experience administering enterprise SQL Server environments.
• Experience installing, configuring, patching, securing, and supporting SQL Server in large-scale environments, including AWS.
• Strong knowledge of SQL Server architecture (Engine, Always On, clustering, backup/recovery).
• Expertise in query optimization, indexing, and performance tuning.
• Experience across on-premises, hybrid, and AWS cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with AWS services supporting SQL Server.
• Experience with automation using PowerShell, Python, Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Ability to design and support high availability, DR, backup/recovery solutions.
• Proven documentation skills and ability to mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technical authority for SQL Server platforms and provide architecture guidance.
• Design, install, configure, and maintain enterprise SQL Server environments across dev, test, staging, prod.
• Provide advanced admin support for SQL Server technologies (Engine, AGs, clustering, replication, SSIS/SSRS).
• Develop and enforce architecture standards, baselines, and runbooks.
• Perform advanced performance tuning and workload analysis.
• Monitor environments and proactively address performance, capacity, and availability issues.
• Lead migrations to AWS and cloud-based database solutions where applicable.
• Create automation solutions using PowerShell, Python, IaC to improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with development teams on data modeling, schema changes, and deployments.
• Mentor DBAs and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Always On

Performance tuning

Security controls

AWS & Hybrid Cloud

PowerShell

Python

Database design

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in CS/IT

Certifications preferred

Tools

SSIS

SSRS

SQL Agent

AWS EC2

Terraform

CloudFormation

SolarWinds DPA

AppDynamics

Job description

Location(s) Chicago, Illinois, Downers Grove, Illinois

Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises.

Position Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior technical authority for Microsoft SQL Server database platforms, providing expertise in architecture, administration, performance optimization, security, and operational support.
• Designs, installs, configures, upgrades, patches, and maintains enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments across development, test, staging, and production environments.
• Provides advanced administration and support for SQL Server technologies, including SQL Server Database Engine, Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, SQL Agent, SSIS, SSRS, and related components.
• Develops and implements SQL Server architecture standards, configuration baselines, operational procedures, and best practices to ensure consistency, reliability, and scalability.
• Performs advanced SQL Server performance tuning, including query optimization, execution plan analysis, indexing strategies, statistics management, database configuration tuning, and workload analysis.
• Monitors SQL Server environments using database monitoring tools and proactively identifies issues related to performance, availability, capacity, storage, and resource utilization.
• Designs and maintains SQL Server high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including backup strategies, restore procedures, replication, failover testing, and recovery planning.
• Implements and manages SQL Server security controls, including authentication, authorization, role-based access, encryption, auditing, vulnerability remediation, and compliance requirements.
• Supports SQL Server environments hosted in AWS and hybrid cloud platforms, collaborating with cloud and infrastructure teams to deploy and optimize database solutions using services such as Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, Amazon EBS, Amazon VPC, AWS IAM, AWS KMS, Amazon CloudWatch, S3, and AWS Backup.
• Leads SQL Server migration, modernization, and consolidation initiatives, including migrations to AWS and implementation of cloud-based database solutions where applicable.
• Develops automation solutions using PowerShell scripting, Python, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and database administration tools to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual processes.
• Partners with application development teams to support database design, data modeling, schema changes, release deployments, and production application support.
• Troubleshoots complex SQL Server incidents, performs root cause analysis, and implements permanent corrective actions to improve platform stability.
• Provides technical guidance during production incidents, change activities, upgrades, and major database-related initiatives.
• Maintains SQL Server documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, configuration records, and operational runbooks.
• Mentors and provides technical guidance to database administrators, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Evaluates SQL Server tools, technologies, and industry practices to improve database reliability, performance, and operational maturity.
• Participates in on-call support, incident response, and critical production issue resolution as required.

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years of hands-on experience administering enterprise database environments, with a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server.
• Extensive experience installing, configuring, upgrading, patching, securing, and supporting Microsoft SQL Server in large-scale enterprise environments, including AWS.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL Server architecture, including SQL Server Database Engine, Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, backup/recovery, and performance tuning.
• Strong experience with query optimization, execution plan analysis, indexing strategies, and database troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting SQL Server environments across on-premises, hybrid, and AWS cloud platforms.
• Working knowledge of AWS services supporting SQL Server database platforms, including Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, Amazon VPC, Amazon EBS, AWS IAM, AWS KMS, Amazon CloudWatch, AWS Backup, Route 53, S3, and Elastic Load Balancing.
• Experience implementing database security practices, access controls, encryption, masking, auditing, and compliance requirements.
• Experience designing and supporting high availability, disaster recovery, backup, and recovery solutions for enterprise SQL Server environments.
• Hands-on experience with database monitoring, performance analysis, and observability tools such as SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), AppDynamics, SQL Server Extended Events, SQL Server Profiler, and similar monitoring platforms.
• Ability to analyze database monitoring metrics, identify performance bottlenecks, correlate application and database performance issues, and implement corrective actions to improve system reliability.
• Experience with database automation, scripting, monitoring, and operational improvement initiatives using PowerShell, Python, Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or similar technologies.
• Ability to analyze complex database performance issues and provide solutions that improve availability, scalability, and reliability.
• Experience collaborating with application developers, infrastructure teams, cloud engineers, cybersecurity teams, and business stakeholders.
• Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, standards, procedures, and operational runbooks.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related technical field; equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience will be considered.
• Relevant professional certifications are preferred, such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Fundamentals, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) / Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) in SQL Server (legacy), AWS Certified Database – Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or other database/cloud-related certifications.

This position works onsite at the Kemper office.

The range for this position is $111,000 to $186,700. When determining candidate offers, we consider experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location among other factors.

This job is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and Kemper benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k, etc.).

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination.

Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee. Kemper will never request personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, via text or email. Additionally, Kemper does not use external messaging applications like WireApp or Skype to communicate with candidates. If you receive such a message, delete it.

Kemper at a Glance

The Kemper family of companies is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. With approximately $12 billion in assets, Kemper is improving the world of insurance by providing affordable and easy-to-use personalized solutions to individuals, families and businesses through its Kemper Auto and Kemper Life brands. Kemper serves over 4.6 million policies, is represented by approximately 24,200 agents and brokers, and has approximately 7,500 associates dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of its customers. Alliance United Insurance Company is not rated. We value diversity and strive to be an employer of choice. An Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V Eligible employees may enjoy benefits such as:

• Qualify for your choice of health and dental plans within your first month.
• Save for your future with robust 401(k) match, Health Spending Accounts and various retirement plans.
• Learn and Grow with our Tuition Assistance Program, paid certifications and continuing education programs.
• Contribute to your community through United Way and volunteer programs.
• Balance your life with generous paid time off and business casual dress.
• Get employee discounts for shopping, dining and travel through Kemper Perks.

Benefits eligibility may vary based on position classification, scheduled hours, work location, temporary or contingent status, independent contractor status, SkillBridge participation, and applicable plan terms.