Senior SQL Server Database Administrator

Senior SQL Server Database Administrator Cleveland, OH Opportunity Details

Contract-to-Hire Senior SQL Server Database Administrator

Our client is seeking a Senior SQL Server Database Administrator to join their Infrastructure & Platform Operations team. This individual will be responsible for the administration, performance, availability, security, and continuous improvement of mission-critical SQL Server environments that support enterprise business applications. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with a hybrid work schedule. Candidates must be local to the Cleveland, Ohio market.

The ideal candidate combines deep SQL Server administration expertise with strong experience supporting highly available production environments. In addition to traditional DBA responsibilities, the client is looking for someone who has experience working with databases in cloud environments. While the client's primary cloud platform is AWS, candidates with Azure or other public cloud database administration experience are highly encouraged to apply.

This role partners closely with application development, infrastructure, security, and business teams to ensure the organization's database platforms remain secure, highly available, scalable, and aligned with business objectives.

Database Administration & Production Support

• Administer, maintain, and support enterprise SQL Server database environments.
• Ensure the availability, reliability, and performance of production databases supporting critical business applications.
• Monitor database health, capacity, performance, and utilization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related incidents and performance issues.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule supporting production systems.

Performance Tuning & Optimization

• Analyze and optimize database performance through indexing, query tuning, execution plan analysis, and configuration improvements.
• Monitor database workloads and implement proactive performance enhancements.
• Optimize storage allocation, resource utilization, and database growth strategies.
• Identify root causes of recurring performance issues and implement long-term solutions.

High Availability, Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Design, implement, and maintain backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Support and enhance high-availability environments to minimize downtime and business disruption.
• Regularly test recovery procedures and validate business continuity plans.
• Develop and maintain database archiving and retention strategies.
• Support database platforms hosted in cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, and other public cloud providers.
• Assist with cloud database deployments, upgrades, migrations, and optimization initiatives.
  Implement cloud-based backup, recovery, monitoring, and security best practices.
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams on cloud modernization efforts and future database platform strategies.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve scalability, resiliency, and operational efficiency through cloud services and automation.

Security, Governance & Compliance

• Manage database access controls, permissions, and security configurations.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards, security policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support audit requests and provide evidence for internal and external compliance reviews.
• Perform database security assessments and recommend improvements.
• Promote best practices for data protection, privacy, and database governance.

Architecture & Platform Strategy

• Partner with development teams to establish database architecture, design, coding, and performance standards.
• Evaluate database technologies, tools, and platforms and make recommendations for future investment.
• Participate in long-term database strategy, capacity planning, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Contribute to quarterly planning and technology roadmaps supporting business priorities.

Project Delivery & Technical Leadership

• Participate in database-related projects, upgrades, application implementations, and technology initiatives.
• Support database migrations across environments, including on-premises and cloud platforms.
• Assist with project planning, resource…