SQL Server Database Administrator

Sword Group

  • London
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
  • Apply easily
Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.About the Role:As a SQL Server Database Administrator, you’ll be at the heart of keeping our clients’ most critical systems running — fast, secure, and resilient. This isn’t just about maintaining databases; it’s about shaping how they perform today and scale for the future.You’ll take ownership of performance tuning, production support, and database management across both production and non-production environments. From optimising queries and managing high availability to tightening security and driving automation, your expertise will make a tangible difference every day.Beyond the technical delivery, you’ll also play a part in process improvement, knowledge sharing, and helping raise best practice standards within the DBA team — ensuring Sword continues to deliver database services our clients can rely on with confidence.As the SQL Server Database Administrator, you will:
  • Configure, maintain, and optimise a range of SQL Server environments to ensure performance, availability, and security.
  • Monitor database health across production and non-production systems, proactively resolving performance bottlenecks and issues.
  • Install, upgrade, and manage SQL Server database applications.
  • Perform in-depth performance tuning, including query optimisation, index management, and resource analysis.
  • Develop and implement robust database security processes, including access control and credential management.
  • Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot replication, log shipping, clustering, mirroring, and Always On Availability Groups.
  • Refine and automate regular maintenance tasks such as backups, index rebuilds, and statistics updates.
  • Deliver scheduled maintenance and release deployments, including occasional after-hours work.
  • Review database architectures and provide guidance on SQL Server best practice.
  • Maintain hands-on use of SQL Server monitoring tools and techniques.
  • Research emerging database technologies and share insights through documentation, mentoring, and knowledge transfer.
  • Track and document issues, changes, and resolutions to maintain clear, auditable records.
  • Support database migrations, including on-prem to cloud transitions (Azure/AWS)
Requirements
  • Proven experience as a SQL Server DBA, supporting both production and non-production environments.
  • Expert knowledge of SQL Server administration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.
  • Strong skills in backup, restore, recovery models, and database security.
  • Hands-on experience with high availability and disaster recovery configurations.
  • Proficiency in T-SQL, with PowerShell scripting desirable.
  • Knowledge of hardware and server configuration for database environments.
  • Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS – IaaS, PaaS, Managed Instances).
  • Broader database experience (PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL) is an advantage.
  • A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to solve complex problems under pressure.
BenefitsAt Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:
  • Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
  • Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
  • A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more….
At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.

Sword Group