Senior Database Administrator – Contract (Inside IR35)

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:

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!

• 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.

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.

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:

1. 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.

2. Initial interview – An opportunity to meet members of our team and  discuss your experience, background and interest in the role.

3. 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

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.