Job description
Waracle are looking for a Senior Database Administrator (Inside IR35) for an exciting new 6-month initial contract joining our world-class digital technology consultancy and home to a diverse, smart, curious and ambitious community of specialists in technology-driven transformation.
We work with ambitious clients to help them solve their biggest business and customer challenges. We help our clients to innovate and create intelligent digital products and services. We thrive on complex challenges and deliver business-critical IT transformation projects, moving seamlessly from strategy, design and delivery to operations.
This is a UK-based Inside IR35 role with remote working available. While the role can be performed remotely, candidates based within a reasonable distance of Crawley or London who are happy to work from the office when required would be particularly welcomed.
The Role
In this role, you’ll lead critical security, performance, and governance improvements across our SQL Server and Azure database estates.
As a subject matter expert, you’ll take ownership of high-impact projects, bring deep technical expertise to complex challenges, and help shape the future of our database platforms. You’ll also work collaboratively with the wider team, sharing knowledge, developing best practice, and helping to build capability across the DBA function.
Key aspects of the role include:
- Drive Security & Governance: Lead the delivery of the CIS Security Improvement Programme across SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Champion the implementation of CIS Benchmark recommendations, audit actions, and security controls such as Row-Level Security, Dynamic Data Masking, and Column-Level Encryption.
- Strengthen Access Management: Enhance Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), privileged access management, permissions, and segregation of duties to maintain strong security, governance, and regulatory compliance across the database estate.
- Lead Database Modernisation: Identify and implement approved SQL Server 2022 capabilities, including Ledger, Temporal Tables, Resource Governor, and Memory-Optimised Tables, focusing on solutions that deliver measurable business value.
- Optimise at Scale: Design and deliver strategies for managing and optimising very large datasets, including databases with 1B+ rows. Apply partitioning, sharding, compression, data lifecycle management, and advanced indexing strategies to improve scalability, resilience, and performance.
- Share Knowledge & Best Practice: Work collaboratively and openly, producing high-quality technical documentation, operational standards, and knowledge-transfer sessions that strengthen team capability and promote consistent ways of working.
- Support the Wider DBA Team: Provide occasional reactive DBA support during major incidents or periods of reduced capacity, contributing your expertise to maintain service continuity and help the wider team succeed.
Research shows that underrepresented groups tend to only apply for roles that they believe they meet 100% of the criteria for. At Waracle, we want to buck that trend! We hire for passion, potential and mindset as much as credentials. If you think you'd be incredible in the role, then apply - even if you don't think you tick every box.What you'll bring
- Deep technical expertise with SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
- Practical experience implementing database security frameworks (CIS Benchmarks, RBAC, auditing, encryption).
- Proven capability in managing large-scale database optimisation, partitioning strategies, and index tuning.
- Familiarity with SQL Server 2022 advanced features.
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset grounded in empathy, transparency, and accountability.
Recruitment process
What to expect from our hiring process:
We believe in radical clarity—no guessing games or high-pressure interrogations. We want to give you every opportunity to shine in your comfort zone:
- First Hello: An informal chat with your dedicated Talent Attraction Partner to talk about Waracle, what you want out of your next move, salary, and office hybrid working model.
- Initial interview – An opportunity to meet members of our team and discuss your experience, background and interest in the role
- Client introduction & interview – A final conversation with the client, including questions focused on the role, your experience and how you would approach the work.
Your Talent Attraction Partner will be in your corner through every step, ensuring zero surprises right up to your Welcome Ritual on day one.
Our Benefits
We believe in supporting our team, inside and outside of work. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:
You'll receive 27 days of annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays, totalling 35 days of holiday to unwind and pursue your passions.
Plan for retirement with our company-matched 5% pension contribution. For added peace of mind, we also offer a Death in Service benefit, providing 2 x your annual salary for your loved ones.
Our Medicash Health Cash Plans help cover everyday healthcare costs, complemented by an Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support, and Group Sickness Cover for peace of mind.
We champion hybrid working, providing a home office setup budget to ensure you're comfortable and productive wherever you are.
Invest in yourself with access to Udemy Business and a dedicated learning and development budget for continuous growth.
Make the most of our Cycle to Work Scheme, and enjoy exclusive gym and retail discounts.
Our enhanced parental leave policies include support for fertility journeys, recognising diverse family needs.
We foster a vibrant culture with regular fun meet-ups and lunch on us in the office once a month. You'll also have the opportunity to make a local impact through Spirit of Waracle, our initiative for getting involved in charitable causes locally, building strong team bonds and giving back.
Our values
To make the world a better place through impactful software
We take pride in delivering high quality work and seeing the impact it has. We are curious, proactive, and always learning; continuously improving ourselves and our skills. We strive for excellence in everything we do. We see every opportunity as a chance to raise the bar - for Waracle, our clients, and for our own professional growth.
We succeed together: whether we’re leading, supporting or learning. We lead with empathy, working as a unified team to understand and appreciate other people’s perspectives and experiences. This commitment to one another empowers everyone to do their best work and reach their full potential. We build trust, celebrate every contribution, and create a space where everyone has the opportunity to shine.
We have big goals, but we don’t try to do everything. We know there are a limited number of hours in a day, so we make every one of them count. We accomplish this by regularly pausing to assess the potential impact of our work, prioritising what matters most and then acting with purpose.
We are transparent in how we think and act. We seek and share context, give and accept feedback, and communicate openly. We take full ownership of what we deliver as individuals and as a team, and hold ourselves accountable. This openness and accountability gives us the clarity and purpose to deliver at our best.
We love what we do and find the fun in each day, celebrating our shared successes and the satisfaction of doing hard work well. We’re in this together, creating space for connection, laughter, and fun. When we look after our clients and each other, and do work we’re proud of, we go home happy.
Frequently-asked questions
Here are some of the things that people tend to ask about working at Waracle.
Absolutely! At Waracle, we welcome both permanent and contract applicants. Each job posting indicates if it's open to contract applications. We offer a diverse range of projects, both within and outside IR35 regulations, catering to various preferences and expertise levels.
We work on a Hybrid working model and offer flexible working hours. We're spread across 4 vibrant UK offices, but our teamwork isn't confined to those spaces, it's all about collaboration! While using the office is encouraged for our teams to work together, each of us has a home office setup, relishing the freedom of hybrid workstyles. As of now, remote work outside the UK isn't part of our standard practice.
We always want to hear from talented people, join our talent pool 👇 and we'll contact you when a new opportunity becomes available.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
We are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies.
