
Database Administrator, Designer & Engineer
Job summary
We provide SQL Database SME consultancy, Database support and backup, best practices, and expert development support for Service teams and the wider TPR audience. We are responsible for supporting and improving the existing SQL database estate for TPR, as well as providing expert advice and development resource for key TPR processes. We enable the Service Teams to develop and deploy more quickly to an agreed standard of database coding practices and translate logical model designs into physical databases.
The purpose of this role is to deliver and maintain tactical and strategic SQL-based database systems that support the business. This role combines database administration, SME mentoring and hands-on engineering across operational and reporting environments, with a strong focus on SQL Server 2017+ and Microsoft Azure.
Job description
- Design, estimate, implement, plan, and test new database systems as defined by the project portfolio.
- Provide administration, monitoring, backup, recovery, and performance tuning of operational and test database systems.
- Support production systems by triaging incidents, investigating issues, and implementing fixes.
- Maintain a high standard of data solutions through code reviews, knowledge sharing, mentoring, documentation, and process improvement.
- Engage with business users to gather information about defects and change requirements.
- Work with technical colleagues to diagnose problems, design solutions, and evaluate technology choices.
- Collaborate in a multi-skilled Agile team to estimate, plan, deliver, and test prioritised features.
- Design robust database structures and data integration solutions that meet storage, performance, security, and data integrity requirements.
- Support technical standards and best practice across SQL development and database operations.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Broad practical experience of the database development lifecycle, gained through building business database solutions.
- Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server 2017 and above.
- Deep knowledge of T-SQL, relational databases, and SQL Server performance tuning.
- Strong understanding of database design, data modelling, normalisation, denormalization, indexing, partitioning, query optimisation, and concurrency design.
- Experience of administering, monitoring, and supporting SQL Server environments in production and test.
- Good understanding of Microsoft Azure concepts and Azure-based database solutions.
- Experience with ETL and data integration tools and techniques, including SSIS and/or Azure Data Factory.
- Experience investigating and diagnosing technical problems in complex business systems.
- Good understanding of data security principles, including access control and encryption.
- Good understanding of data quality, cleansing, and testing principles.
- Experience working with Agile methods to plan, develop, test, and deliver data solutions.
- Knowledge of capacity planning and data archiving principles.
Desirable Criteria
- Microsoft Azure certification, highly desirable.
- Microsoft SQL Server certification or equivalent demonstrable expertise.
- Experience with Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, Synapse, or related Azure data services.
- Experience supporting high-availability or performance-sensitive SQL environments.
- Experience working in regulated or high-governance environments.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £53,573, Pensions Regulator contributes £15,520 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).TPR offers:
- Genuine opportunities for learning and development.
- A values-led, inclusive environment.
- Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns.
- A vibrant workplace with employee networks (Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Mental Health, Women’s).
Reward and benefits
We offer 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a hybrid working model, 35 hour working week (full-time), flexible working patterns, and flexitime. We also provide competitive parental leave, as well as a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Our dedicated benefits portal (Edenred) offers retail, gym, tech and restaurant discounts, and a cycle to work scheme.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process details
Applications
To avoid disappointment, we would invite you to submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can continue to provide a positive candidate experience, with each application being reviewed and considered. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Current TPR employees who want to apply for this vacancy should first contact their line manager to discuss their application.
We welcome applications on a part time and job share basis.
Please note that TPR is unable to offer visa sponsorship. All applicants must already hold Right to Work in the UK for the duration of their employment. For more information on Right to Work, please visit Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK.
Selection and interview
If you are shortlisted for interview, we’ll be in contact with you shortly after the closing date. We aim to respond to every application however due to the large volume of applications this is not always possible. If you have not heard from us within 21 days of submitting your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we’re committed to the recruitment, employment, retention, and development of people with disabilities, and to improving their employment opportunities. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria will be an offered an interview. Please note that if we receive a high volume of Disability Confident applicants, we reserve the right to offer an interview to those who best meet the essential criteria.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further information
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk
- Email : Recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk
Salary range
- £53,573 per year











