Technical Manager, MSSQL Database & Server SME

Prudential's purpose is to help people get the most out of life. We will deliver our purpose by creating a culture in which diversity is celebrated and inclusion assured, for our colleagues, customers, and partners. We provide a platform for our people to do their best work and make an impact to the business, and in exchange, we support our people's career ambitions. We pledge to make Prudential a place where you can Connect, Grow and Succeed.

A Database Technical Leader for MSSQL Databases is a senior level technical expert who has in-depth knowledge and highly experience in providing advanced operational and technical engineering support for business systems and applications using MSSQL. The candidate act as the final point of escalation for complex database issues that cannot be resolved by Level 1 and 2 support outsourced DBA team. He / She will provide the technical domain leadership required to effectively deliver high-quality, timely solutions and services that meet business needs with primary focus in planning, designing, optimizing, implementing, and supporting all aspects of databases and the underlying operating systems.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Serving as the deep Subject Matter Expert (SME), lead and accountable for providing advanced technical and analysis support (Level 3 / 4) of MSSQL database environments, including architecting, engineering, deployment, troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues related to configuration, performance, availability, scalability, and security.
• Analyze MSSQL database architecture and provide technical recommendations implementing changes in processes, system optimization, upgrade, enhancement, and integration to include database hardware / software and storage capability as needed.
• Ensure quality and consistency of design, development (where applicable), testing, and integration testing cycles and deliverables, adhering to database architecture, project management, and compliance guidelines.
• Lead and drive continuous improvement of MSSQL database design and delivery standards. Ensure all processes and procedures are fully documented, kept up to date and properly socialised.
• Lead and participate in technical working groups to investigate, identify and diagnose problems related to MSSQL databases, including issues with replication, backup, and recovery.
• Lead and drive database technology life cycle management / upgrades, disaster recovery exercise, backup & recovery, incident response planning, and problem resolution management.
• Collaborate closely with other Infrastructure operations support teams, engineering teams, and application development teams to ensure delivery of database services within the SLAs and performance target set, and drive guidelines, methodologies, identify and resolve technical issues.
• Continuously improve the user experience by proactively identifying and addressing pain points related to database technologies.
• Work with MSP; provides oversight for service level agreement. Manage resources to assure databases availability and capacity for growth, including monitoring of database system health and performance.
• Regular database capacity planning and archival solution related to database growth and system utilisation, trend analysis, predictive future database resource requirements, and reporting. Provide proactive and reactive performance analysis, monitoring, troubleshooting and resolution of database issues.
• Provide DBA guidance and support for enterprise monitoring, backup, alerting, and security compliance solutions for SQL and Oracle servers.
• Participate in evaluating, selecting and implementing DBA tools to improve the effectiveness of tasks such as performance monitoring and tuning, recovery, and database change management processing.
• Collaborate and work with developers in writing SQLs, functions & procedures, troubleshoot and tune coding issues.
• Stay current on the latest MSSQL database features, best practices, and updates.
• Assist in IT change management / ticket reviews, approvals, and planning.
• Participate in on-call support rotation and flexible in providing 24x7 coverage as needed.
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and/or advanced diploma in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or relevant field.
• Professional certification requirements:
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) SQL Server 2012/2014 or SQL 2016 Database Development or equivalent
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Azure Data Fundamentals, Database Fundamentals SQL Certification
• At least 10+ years' strong “hands-on” experience in designing, developing, tuning, optimizing, deploying and updating MSSQL database instances in a high-volume transactional environment with critical uptime requirements for a business providing 24/7 SaaS, e-commerce or web-based solutions.
• Minimum 5+ years’ focus experience in designing, developing, tuning, optimizing, deploying, and maintaining the High Availability (HA) features of MSSQL Server Enterprise edition in a clustered environment. Solid knowledge in database replication technologies including Always-on, etc., Microsoft SQL Server Failover Clustering, Log Shipping, Database Mirroring. Strong architectural/engineering skills to design systems that meet various applications HA and Disaster Recovery requirements.
• Strong knowledge and extensive experience with Microsoft SQL server technologies (SSMS, SQL clustering, Data Synchronization, Encryption, Partitioning, Performance, Security, SSAS, SSIS and SSRS configuration) is mandatory.
• Highly proficient in MSSQL server and database including configuration, database security, backup & recovery, replication, DB performance troubleshooting, and advanced tuning.
• Should have experience actively working with Microsoft Azure Cloud and Azure Data Platform utilizing Data Management services.
• Excellent and with strong experience in troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues related to MSSQL server and database.
• Strong technical skills in TSQL, SQL*Plus and PowerShell programming to automate SQL Server operational repetitive task.
• Must have configured, managed and maintained on-prem and/or online backup technologies in databases, ensured disaster recovery and data retention processes (backup, recovery, monitoring, security, installation) are closely followed.
• Able to conduct systems analysis and translate user requirements into business solutions.
• Additional skills (Preferred, but not mandatory):
• Good exposure and experience working on SQL Server Database on Linux platforms.
• Knowledge and experience with MySQL and PostgreSQL.
• Good knowledge of ITIL processes and experience implementing them in a database environment.
• Previously experience with supporting Node.js platforms.
• Experience with supporting load balancer technologies like NGINX, BigIP F5, Azure Load Balancer
• Experience working in a Cloud environment like GCP and internal VMware Virtual environments.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes is a plus.
• Self-driven & motivated, tenacious problem solver will own issues until full resolution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fluent in both speaking and writing English. Ability to build and maintain relationships and work cross functionally and interact confidently across all channels.
• Ability to carry out tasks to a high standard with a strong eye for attention to detail and thorough approach to their work.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent judgement, and possess a passion for continuous learning.
• Background in regulated global companies a plus (financial institutions, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or similar).
• Experience managing and working with MSP, minimum of 3 years of experience leading diverse technical teams
• Experience in providing 24x7 on-call support is a plus.
  
  
  

Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equality of opportunity of benefits for all who apply and who perform work for our organisation irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, educational, social and cultural background, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, disability or part-time / fixed-term work, or any other status protected by applicable law. We encourage the same standards from our recruitment and third-party suppliers taking into account the context of grade, job and location. We also allow for reasonable adjustments to support people with special requirements.