SQL Database Administrator

One Advanced IT Services delivers managed IT, cloud and security services to large enterprise and public sector organisations across the UK. We are looking for an experienced Microsoft SQL Server DBA to join our Database team, supporting high-profile customers whose services depend on fast, secure and resilient data platforms.

This is a hands-on, third-line technical role. You will own the health, performance and security of customer SQL Server estates across on-premises and Microsoft Azure, and you will be a trusted technical voice with customers and colleagues alike.

• Performance tuning and optimisation of database servers and databases: diagnosing and resolving slow queries, blocking, deadlocks and resource contention using execution plans, Query Store, wait statistics, DMVs and Extended Events; driving indexing strategy, statistics maintenance and instance configuration (memory, MAXDOP, tempdb) to deliver measurable improvements.
• Building, configuring, securing and operating SQL Server across its whole lifecycle, including Always On availability groups, failover clustering, replication, SSIS, SSRS and SSAS, on-premises and in Azure (Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs).
• Protecting customer data
  : designing and testing backup, restore, high availability and disaster recovery plans against agreed RPO and RTO targets.
• Keeping estates current and secure
  : patching, version upgrades and migrations, security hardening (e.g. CIS benchmarks), least-privilege access, encryption and auditing, and remediation of vulnerabilities.
• Planning, design and implementation of new builds and migrations for major corporate and government customers, producing high-quality, customer-facing HLD and LLD documentation and maintaining it through the system lifecycle.
• Monitoring and capacity management
  : using performance tooling such as Foglight to spot problems early, forecast growth and recommend improvements before they affect service.
• Using AI tools safely and responsibly to work more efficiently, for example to accelerate script development, query analysis and documentation, always within One Advanced policy and approved tools, and always validating AI-generated output before it reaches a customer environment.
• Resolving incidents, problems and changes within ITIL-aligned processes in Service Now, meeting SLAs and OLAs, and leading root cause analysis for database-related major incidents.
• Supporting and mentoring colleagues and customers, and working with internal stakeholders to develop and refine technical solutions and standard operating procedures.
• Participating in the 24x7x365 on-call rota. This is a mandatory requirement of the role.

• Proven experience administering Microsoft SQL Server in a production enterprise environment, ideally within a managed service provider.
• Demonstrable experience of performance tuning SQL Server instances and databases, with examples of problems you have diagnosed and the improvements you delivered.
• Strong T-SQL skills and experience automating and standardising routine work with Power Shell (e.g. dbatools) or similar.
• Hands-on experience of high availability and disaster recovery technologies, including Always On availability groups and failover clustering.
• Experience of administering SQL in Microsoft Azure, including Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance or SQL Server on Azure VMs.
• Knowledge of security good practice for SQL Server, e.g. CIS hardening, access control, encryption and auditing.
• An understanding of how to use AI tools safely, including protecting customer data, credentials and system details, and critically reviewing AI-generated code before use.
• Experience of working within…