SQL Database & Server Manager

Job Description

Location: London (Hybrid); This role will be mainly remote but require flexibility to travel to client sites.

Working Hours: 09:00 – 17:30

Salary: £40k to £60k

Role Summary

Working on secure Microsoft Azure–based environment providing analysts with SQL databases, data lakes, file storage, and advanced analytics tools. The SQL Database & Server Manager is responsible for overseeing the health, performance, security, and availability of approximately 10 SQL databases and a central Azure Data Lake, ensuring the platform remains reliable for mission‑critical analytical workloads.

This role also supports the Data Engineering function—assisting with ETL/ELT processing, maintaining data pipelines built with Microsoft Azure and Databricks tooling, and ensuring all underlying database services operate effectively during core business hours.

Key Responsibilities

1. Database Administration & Operations

• Manage provisioning, configuration, and ongoing administration of Azure SQL databases and related services, aligned with client capacity and performance needs.
• Monitor and tune database performance using Azure Monitor, Query Performance Insight, and other diagnostic tools to ensure optimal query execution and resource utilisation.
• Perform regular patching, maintenance, and security updates on database servers and associated infrastructure.

2. Platform Reliability & Support

• Ensure the client data platform (SQL databases, data lake, file shares) remains operational during supported hours (09:00–17:30).
• Troubleshoot platform issues, including connection failures, performance degradation, and data‑access problems, resolving issues in line with SLAs.
• Maintain clear operational documentation for configurations, processes, and incident resolutions.

3. Security, Compliance & Governance

• Implement Azure SQL security controls including encryption, RBAC, firewall rules, and auditing to ensure compliance with government‑grade security and GDPR standards.
• Enforce data governance policies covering access management, backup policies, recovery objectives, and data handling standards.

4. Backup, Recovery & Business Continuity

• Manage automated backups, geo‑replication (where appropriate), and disaster‑recovery configurations for SQL databases.
• Ensure rapid recovery procedures are in place and periodically tested.

5. Data Engineering & ETL Support

• Support client Engineers in maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines across SQL, Azure Data Lake, and Databricks environments.
• Assist with ingestion, transformation, and optimisation of analytic datasets used by client analysts.
• Contribute to scalable architecture patterns informed by Azure best practice for analytics and data lakehouse architectures

6. Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Automate routine tasks (backups, alerts, performance scans, updates) using PowerShell, Azure CLI, or automation services to streamline operations.
• Drive platform improvements that enhance reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Technical Skills

• Strong experience administering Azure SQL Database, SQL Server, and related Azure data services.
• Experience working with data lakes (incl. Delta Lakes) and familiarity with modern analytics architectures.
• Proficiency with ETL/ELT tooling, particularly Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and SQL‑based transformations.
• Expertise in performance tuning, query optimisation, indexing strategies, and capacity planning.
• Deep understanding of database security, IAM, encryption, and compliance frameworks.

Operational & Soft Skills

• Proven ability to manage enterprise‑grade databases with high availability and security requirements.
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills under pressure.
• Ability to maintain consistent support coverage, collaborating within a managed service team
• Clear communication skills for supporting analysts, data engineers, and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience.
• Relevant Microsoft certifications (e.g., Azure Database Administrator Associate, Azure Data Engineer Associate) strongly desirable.

Security Clearance:

UKSV (United Kingdom Security Vetting) clearance is required for this role, with Security Check (SC) as the minimum standard, either already held or with a willingness to undergo the process. Some roles/projects may require Developed Vetting (DV) clearance; while not mandatory, a willingness to obtain DV clearance would be beneficial. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS); details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website GOV.UK – Government baseline personnel security standard. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Working at MA

Methods Analytics (MA) exists to improve society by helping people make better decisions with data. Combining passionate people, sector-specific insight, and technical excellence to provide our customers an end-to-end data service.

We use a collaborative, creative and user centric approach to data to do good and solve difficult problems. Ensuring that our outputs are transparent, robust, and transformative. We value discussion and debate as part of our approach. We will question assumptions, ambition, and process – but do so with respect and humility.

We relish difficult problems, and overcome them with innovation, creativity, and technical freedom to help us design optimum solutions. Ethics, privacy, and quality are at the heart of our work, and we will not sacrifice these for outcomes.

We treat data with respect and use it only for the right purpose. Our people are positive, dedicated, and relentless. Data is a vast topic, but we strive for interactions that are engaging, informative and fun in equal measure. But maintain a steely focus on outcomes and delivering quality products for our customers.

We are passionate about our people; we want out colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience

• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society

• Strong, inspiring, and thought-provoking leadership

• A supportive and collaborative environment

As well as this, we offer:

• Annual two-day technical hackathon bringing together all technical teams for innovation and collaboration

• Monthly Engineering & Architecture Community of Practice event

• Bi-annual whole company teambuilding events bringing everyone together for a day of fun and connection

• Development access to Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning

• Volunteering - 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation

• Private Medical Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

• Worldwide Travel Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

• Life Assurance of 4 times base salary

• Time off - 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year

• Pension Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution

• Wellness ²⁴⁄₇ Confidential employee assistance programme

• Social - office parties, pizza Friday and commitment to charitable causes