Lead Oracle DBA -.*SC OR DV CLEARANCE ESSENTIAL*

Lead Database Administrator

We're looking for an experienced Lead DBA to take ownership of our database estate - from day-to-day operational support through to architectural input on new projects. You'll be the go-to expert for complex database challenges, working across on-premise and cloud environments, and helping shape how we evolve our data platform capability.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You won't just be advising - you'll be in the engine room, diagnosing incidents, driving improvements, and setting the standard for how databases are designed, secured, and maintained across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own the health, performance, and resilience of our database platforms across dev, test, and production environments
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex incidents, including performance degradation and interoperability issues
• Design and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions - backup, replication, restoration, and monitoring against recovery objectives
• Act as the database SME for delivery teams - influencing design decisions early, reviewing complex SQL, tuning DML, and advising on stored procedures
• Drive database patching, upgrades, and life cycle management in line with internal standards
• Define and enforce database security controls - roles, permissions, access management, and audit compliance
• Maintain clear, accurate technical documentation and share knowledge across the wider team
• Manage database-related incidents and changes through the ITSM tooling
• Contribute to procurement and vendor engagement, providing technical recommendations

Essential Technical Skills

• Oracle 19c - deep, hands-on expertise at a 3rd line/design level; this is non-negotiable
• Oracle Data Guard - configuration, failover, switchover, and ongoing management
• Oracle patching - planned and out-of-cycle patching in production environments
• OEM/Cloud Control (Oracle Enterprise Manager) - active use for monitoring, diagnostics, and estate management
• Windows Server - Oracle running on Windows; comfort with the sysadmin tasks that go with it
• Experience with RMAN for backup and recovery
• Cloud database platforms - Azure or AWS; design, deployment, and operational experience
• MS SQL Server or PostgreSQL experience is a plus
• Strong grounding in IT security, access control, and audit compliance

What We're Looking For

You'll bring at least five years' experience in database administration, ideally including significant time in a lead or senior 3rd-line capacity. A relevant degree is useful but not essential - demonstrable depth of experience matters more.

Beyond the technical, you'll be someone who can explain a complex database architecture to a non-technical stakeholder, push back constructively when a design decision is heading in the wrong direction, and bring junior colleagues along with you.

We need someone who takes initiative, manages their own priorities, and doesn't need to be told twice when something needs fixing.