Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared

Senior SQL Server DBA - DV Cleared Location: Reading (Onsite) Rate: Up to 98 per hour Contract: 6 Months Initial IR35: Inside IR35 Clearance: Active DV Clearance Required We are seeking an experienced Senior SQL Server DBA to join a highly skilled technical team supporting business-critical database environments within a secure public sector organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on DBA with strong experience across legacy and modern SQL Server platforms, providing 2nd and 3rd line support, maintaining database availability, security and performance, and driving continual service improvement. Key Responsibilities Provide 2nd and 3rd line support across production, pre-production and development SQL Server environments. Administer and maintain SQL Server versions (Apply online only), including patching, upgrades and migrations. Manage SQL Server high availability, clustering, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) and Always On Availability Groups. Lead database incident resolution, troubleshooting and root cause analysis. Manage backup, restore and disaster recovery arrangements, including resilience and failover testing. Perform database performance tuning, capacity management and optimisation. Maintain database security, access controls, auditing and compliance. Develop automation and scripting solutions using PowerShell and T-SQL. Work closely with application, infrastructure, security and service management teams. Maintain technical documentation, runbooks and operational standards. Essential Skills & Experience Proven experience as a Senior SQL Server DBA in business-critical production environments. Strong SQL Server administration experience across versions (Apply online only). Hands-on experience with Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), FCI and Always On Availability Groups. Strong T-SQL and PowerShell scripting skills. Experience of database backup, recovery, disaster recovery and high availability. Performance tuning using execution plans, indexing, DMVs, Extended Events and Query Store. Experience with SQL Server security, Active Directory integration and access management. Good knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory and SQL connectivity. Experience working within ITIL-based incident, problem and change management processes. Excellent troubleshooting, communication and stakeholder management skills. Desirable Experience SSIS, SSRS and SSAS. CyberArk or other privileged access management tools. PowerShell dbatools, Redgate SQL Monitor, SCOM or SolarWinds. SQL Server upgrade and migration planning, including end-of-support and ESU. Azure SQL, Azure Managed Instance or Azure Arc. Experience within defence, government or secure environments. Candidates must hold active UK DV Security Clearance to be considered for this opportunity.