MS SQL Database Administrator( contract )

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real 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.

In this role, you will take ownership of application-facing database services, supporting database configuration, migrations, data movement, performance tuning, and troubleshooting across critical business applications. You will act as the bridge between application and infrastructure teams, ensuring database solutions are designed, maintained, and transitioned effectively throughout the application lifecycle.

The successful candidate will have strong SQL Server administration experience, excellent troubleshooting skills, and a proactive approach to driving database performance, reliability, and continuous improvement in a complex enterprise environment.

• Works closely with application teams, BAs and vendors to understand database requirements, dependencies and application behaviour.
• Owns the application-facing database activities, including schema/database configuration, migration, data movement, compatibility and application connectivity.
• Leads application-specific SQL troubleshooting and performance analysis, identifying whether issues originate within the database, queries or application.
• Supports migration, testing and cutover, ensuring the database and application are transitioned as an integrated service.
• Defines requirements that need to be delivered by the infrastructure-aligned DBA.

Requirements

• In depth understanding of the SQL Server databases, related utilities and tools
• Sufficient Understanding of Database concepts to be able to implement different RDBMS technologies.
• Good understanding of the operating systems; Windows and Unix
• Knowledge of Oracle and SQL Server backup and recovery scenarios
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines
• Experience in database change management and data management through the various stages of the development
• life cycle
• Presentation/Communication Skills
• Oracle Certified or MCP Certified

Benefits

At 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.

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.