Senior SQL Server DBA

Location: Near Reading, Berkshire (Onsite)
Contract: 6 Months
Start Date: December 2026
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Security Clearance: Active DV clearance Required
Working Pattern: Full Time, Onsite Reading

We are seeking an experienced Senior SQL Server Database Administrator to join a highly secure, business-critical environment supporting critical public sector operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced DBA to work within a complex enterprise estate, providing second and third-line support across production, pre-production and development environments. You will play a key role in maintaining, securing, optimising and modernising SQL Server platforms ranging from SQL Server 2012 through to SQL Server 2022.

The Role

You will be responsible for supporting and administering mission-critical SQL Server environments, ensuring high levels of availability, performance, security and resilience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Administering and supporting SQL Server production, pre-production and development environments.
• Leading database incident resolution, root cause analysis and problem management activities.
• Delivering SQL Server patching, upgrades and migration projects.
• Managing high availability and disaster recovery solutions.
• Designing, implementing and testing backup and recovery procedures.
• Proactively monitoring and tuning database performance.
• Supporting application and development teams with deployments and releases.
• Maintaining database security, auditing and compliance standards.
• Producing technical documentation, operational procedures and runbooks.
• Driving automation, standardisation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Working within ITIL-aligned change, release and configuration management processes.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience supporting SQL Server in business-critical production environments.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a dedicated SQL Server DBA position.
• Experience supporting mixed SQL Server estates from SQL Server 2012 through to SQL Server 2022.
• Strong expertise in:
  • SQL Server Administration
  • T-SQL
  • PowerShell
  • Database Performance Tuning
  • Capacity Planning
  • SQL Server Security
• Extensive experience with:
  • Always On Availability Groups
  • Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC)
  • Failover Cluster Instances (FCI)
  • Replication
  • Log Shipping
  • Database Mirroring
  • Backup and Recovery
  • Disaster Recovery Testing
• Experience using monitoring tools such as SCOM, Redgate SQL Monitor or SolarWinds DPA.
• Strong understanding of Active Directory, DNS, Kerberos/SPNs and Windows Server environments.
• Experience working within ITIL Incident, Problem and Change Management frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable Skills

• SSIS, SSRS and SSAS
• Azure SQL and Managed Instance
• Azure Arc
• Oracle, PostgreSQL or MySQL
• SQL Server on Linux
• VMware and EMC SAN
• Azure DevOps, SSDT, Git and Ansible
• CyberArk
• CIS Benchmark security hardening
• Defence, Government or secure environment experience
• DP-300 Certification
• ITIL Foundation Certification

Security Requirements

Applicants must hold active DV Security Clearance which must be transferable prior to commencement.

If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.