Database Administrator

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

The main purpose of the DBA role is to administer and manage Shoosmiths database systems, ensuring that the reliability and integrity of these systems falls within Shoosmiths’ targeted uptime. The role will be responsible for ensuring that the integrity of Shoosmiths databases is maintained and that business continuity procedures are in place to recover Shoosmiths’ systems in the event of a failure.

The remit of the role includes the following:

• Database server performance management
• Database engine configuration and tuning
• Systems architecture design for the database environment
• Change control for database servers and database architecture
• Management of database security and access rights
• Technical documentation of database systems architecture and configuration
• System growth and consolidation planning
• Patch maintenance of the database engines

(75%) Database administration

(5%) Infrastructure and network administration

(15%) Application support and analysis

(5%) Other tasks as appropriate

Technical skills and competencies

• A creative thinker who is practised in the analysis of problems and can produce practical solutions
• 5 or more years’ experience with Microsoft SQL Server
• IT operation experience with strong understanding of database structure, theories, principles and practices
• Understanding of, and experience with, server-client computing and relational database environments
• Knowledge of reporting and query tools and practices
• An eye for the detail yet able to take the holistic view
• Knowledge of technical standards and products
• Positive attitude with strength of character and determination to succeed
• Maintain high standards, setting and achieving goals.
• A good working knowledge of technology and business.
• Effective meeting skills
• Cope under pressure.
• Ability to identify areas requiring improvement.
• Ability to identify problems and act on them.
• Good organisational skills to ensure that tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of users both internally and externally
• Self-motivating with a flexible approach, including a preparedness to actively seek work.
• An inquisitive and analytical mind, but well grounded in reality.
• A methodical and accurate worker, able to see tasks through to the end.
• The ability to express ideas clearly in speech, email and documentation.

Role-specific knowledge and expertise

Essential

• SQL Server 2000 to 2017
• Database Administration / Tuning / Management / Security

Preferred

• Progress database management / administration
• Knowledge of Legal IT systems
• Understanding of SCOM monitoring
• Knowledge of SQL instances for SAP and SharePoint

Experience, qualifications and other role-specific requirements

Essential

• Qualified to HNC level or 5 years experience in similar role.

Preferred

• Experience in a law firm, professional services firm or other service sector industry
• Microsoft DBA accreditation
• Experience of ITIL best practice together with ITIL certification

Additional details

Travel to other Shoosmiths offices will be necessary on occasions.

It is essential that the Database Administrator can work flexible or extended hours to complete some tasks outside of core business hours of 08:00 to 18:00.

Background checks

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted.  These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years, Personnel Vetting credit search (which will only highlight insolvency or County Court Judgments - should any adverse data show on the Personnel Vetting search then any offer of employment made will be withdrawn).Terrorism Check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check. 

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.