Senior Database Administrator

Job summary

Senior Database Administrator

This is an exciting time to join the IPO as we’re undergoing a major transformation programme, and this is a unique opportunity for you join our database team as we make fundamental changes to our data and IT systems to modernise our platforms. We are beginning our Microsoft Azure and SQL PaaS journey to build resilient, reliable and robust systems for the future, while still maintaining a traditional SQL server estate for our current systems.

As a Senior SQL Server Database Administrator, you will be expected to support and contribute to the technical strategy for the IPO’s multi-terabyte on-premises SQL Server estate, whilst helping to drive our adoption of Azure SQL technologies. You will be an authority on best practice and correct use of database technology, providing innovative, yet practical solutions. You’ll provide support and guidance alongside Database Administrators ensuring the databases are available, maintained and supported.

The role is primarily focused on Microsoft SQL Server, supporting a large on-premises and growing Azure SQL estate, although there may be opportunities to work with MySQL and Azure Cosmos DB platforms.

Working Style

This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office.

The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.

The IPO holds a visa sponsor licence however; this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Candidates will therefore need to have an existing right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Job description

Main duties consist of but are not limited to:

• Proactively manage and maintain all aspects of the Microsoft SQL database estate.
• Act as a senior technical authority for database technologies, advising architects, project teams and stakeholders on database solutions, best practices and standards.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through automation and standardisation.
• Represent the Database Administration team within cross-functional projects, ensuring database considerations are incorporated into solution designs and delivery.
• Define and maintain standards for monitoring, performance tuning, high availability, disaster recovery, backup and recovery across the database estate.
• Mentor and coach Database Administrators, sharing technical expertise, promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Contribute to cloud migration, particularly in support of the organisation's adoption of Azure SQL
• An interest in ETL/ELT, Power BI, Fabric and other reporting technology would be advantageous.

For a full list of your roles and responsibilities as a Senior DBA, take a look at the role profile we have attached at the end of the advert.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• SQL Server Database Administration
• Ability to write T-SQL scripts and to validate/correct those produced by others
• Ability to install SQL Server Instances and to re-configure where appropriate
• Capable of recognising trends in a range of data and drawing conclusions
• ITIL V3 Foundation
• Strong database performance tuning and capacity management
• Technical problem solving
• Automation and scripting (Powershell including DBATools)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to convey crucial information on project development in a clear and engaging way
• Flexible interpersonal skills required to build effective relationships with colleagues within the team and across the business, including mentoring and knowledge sharing
• Capable of organising and prioritising work in an effective manner whilst working unsupervised to agreed timescales
• Supporting and instilling a continuous improvement environment
• Self-motivated and self-sufficient with a can-do attitude
• High level of organisation skills

How to Apply

Click the 'Applynow' button and complete the application form by providing the following:

Your CV

• Upload an anonymised copy of your current CV. Please remove all identifying markers such as name, title, education institution etc.
• Make sure it clearly shows how you meet the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification.

For further information on the sift and interview stages of this recruitment campaign, please head to our 'Things you need to know' section below.

Please visit our Civil Service Careers page - IPO – Recruitment Support , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk

If you require job-specific information, please contact Alex Morgan
E-mail: [email removed]
Telephone: [phone removed]

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• We will assess you on the following Technical criteria at interview:Microsoft SQL Server

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,766, Intellectual Property Office contributes £13,837 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Unlimited Pluralsight video learning access
• Access to Microsoft’s ESI training suite
• Hybrid working with no core hours
• Substantial support for career progression
• 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments
• You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave

For more information about what’s on offer at the Intellectual Property Office please review our IPO benefit pack attached to the bottom of this advert.

Please note that benefits may be subject to change.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Additional de