Senior Database Specialist

Hours: Full-time permanent role - 35 hours per week - Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Hybrid working from Skipton Head Office

Salary: £50,862 Per Annum
Closing Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2024

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced SQL Database specialist to join our IT team as we expand to support the digital transformation journey of the business. If you have the knowledge and experience of working with SQL, then this role presents an excellent opportunity for you to make a significant impact to colleagues and customers and be part of an exciting new phase of Skipton’s journey.

Who Are We?

Not just another building society. Not just another job. We're the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we're a mutual organisation. We don't have shareholders; we're owned by our members. Our colleagues say Skipton's a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do.

You will be joining our dynamic IT team, with a department consisting of c125 skilled professionals. We are an enabling function collaborating with stakeholders across the business to drive ambitious initiatives within the Homes and Money business divisions.

What’s In It For You?

Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space. We have a range of other benefits available to you including:

1. Annual discretionary bonus scheme
2. 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
3. Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
4. Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
5. Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
6. Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
7. A commitment to training and development
8. Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
9. 3 paid volunteering days per annum
10. Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
11. We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership

What Will You Be Doing?

Role Summary

The SQL Database Specialist (SQL DBA) is responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of SQL databases. This role involves designing, implementing, managing, and monitoring databases to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and reliability. The SQL DBA also plays a critical role in planning for disaster recovery and ensuring data is backed up and retrievable.

Key Responsibilities

1. Database Performance Management
2. Backup and Recovery
3. Security Management
4. Maintenance and Upgrades
5. Collaboration and Support
6. Capacity Planning and Monitoring

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience: 3+ years of experience in SQL database administration. Proven experience with SQL Server 2016 +. Experience with database performance tuning and optimisation.

Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in SQL and T-SQL programming. Experience with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), SQL Profiler, and other related tools. Familiarity with database backup and recovery strategies. Knowledge of database security best practices. Understanding of high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) options for SQL Server.

Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or Microsoft Certified: Database Administrator.

Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.

Beneficial Knowledge and Experience

Experience with cloud-based PaaS SQL databases (e.g. Azure SQL Database). Experience with cloud-based IaaS SQL Server instances. Experience with database migration projects. Knowledge of scripting languages such as PowerShell for automation. Experience of working in agile.

What Do We Need From You?

Overall, we're seeking a dynamic individual. Working in a fast-paced, agile environment requires adaptability, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace change. As a SQL database specialist, you’ll need to thrive in this environment, to support and deliver results iteratively and incrementally. You will possess excellent third line technical skills, along with the capacity to influence, engage, and collaborate effectively. Your passion for personal and professional development, coupled with a curiosity about technology and agile methodologies will be instrumental in success in your role and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.