About the role
Senior SQL Server DBA Location: Near Reading, Berkshire (Onsite)
Hit Apply below to send your application for consideration Ensure that your CV is up to date, and that you have read the job specs first.
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. xwzovoh
If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.
Hit Apply below to send your application for consideration Ensure that your CV is up to date, and that you have read the job specs first.
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. xwzovoh
If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.
About this listing
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