Senior SQL Database Administrator Location: Randburg Duration: 6 – 12 Months contract Work Model: Hybrid (1-2 days a week) Role Overview We are seeking a highly experienced Senior SQL Database Administrator (DBA) with over 10 years of hands‑on expertise in managing, optimizing, and securing enterprise‑level database environments. The ideal candidate will ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of mission‑critical databases while supporting development and business intelligence teams. Knowledge of AWS S3 would be advantageous. Key Responsibilities Database Administration & Operations Install, configure, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server environments (on‑premises and/or cloud). Manage database performance, uptime, and availability (24/7 support where required). Perform proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and tuning of databases. Implement and maintain High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) solutions (Always On, Failover Clustering, Log Shipping, Replication). Design and execute backup and recovery strategies. Performance Optimization Analyze query performance and optimize SQL code, indexes, and execution plans. Identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements in database and system architecture. Capacity planning and proactive performance tuning. Security & Compliance Implement database security policies, access controls, and encryption strategies. Ensure compliance with data governance and audit requirements. Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments. Development & Support Collaborate with developers to design efficient database schemas and queries. Review and optimize stored procedures, functions, and triggers. Support ETL processes, data migrations, and integrations. Automation & Scripting Develop automation scripts (T‑SQL, PowerShell) to improve operational efficiency. Implement monitoring tools and alerts. Cloud & Modern Data Platforms Manage SQL databases in cloud environments (Azure SQL, AWS RDS, etc.). Support cloud migration strategies and hybrid environments. Knowledge of AWS S3 would be advantageous. Documentation & Best Practices Maintain detailed documentation of database systems and processes. Establish and enforce database standards and best practices. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. 10+ years of experience as a SQL DBA in enterprise environments. Expert‑level knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server (2012–2022). Strong experience with: Backup/Restore and Disaster Recovery Performance tuning and query optimization High availability solutions (Always On, clustering) Experience with database monitoring tools (e.g., SQL Profiler, Extended Events, Redgate, SolarWinds). Proficiency in T‑SQL scripting and automation (PowerShell preferred). Experience with cloud database platforms (Azure/AWS). Preferred Qualifications Microsoft certifications (e.g., Azure Database Administrator Associate, SQL Server certifications). Experience with data warehousing, SSIS, SSRS, SSAS. Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines. Exposure to other database systems (Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL). Experience in containerized or microservices environments is a plus. Key Competencies Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills Attention to detail and high level of accuracy Ability to work under pressure and manage critical incidents Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement Leadership and mentoring capabilities #J-18808-Ljbffr