IT Database Administrator

Azure Database Administrator

We are seeking an experienced Azure Database Administrator to design, implement, secure, and optimize cloud database platforms supporting mission-critical applications for our associates and clients. The ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise across Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, and Cosmos DB, with strong performance tuning, automation, and governance skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administration and Operations
• Provision, configure, and maintain Azure database services: Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance, Azure Database for PostgreSQL (Flexible Server/Single Server), and Cosmos DB (including MongoDB API.
• Manage backups, restores, disaster recovery, and geo-replication; establish RPO/RTO targets and failover procedures/runbooks.
• Monitor health, capacity, and cost; implement alerting and proactive remediation using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and related tooling.
• Maintain schema changes, index strategies, and maintenance routines (reindex, vacuum/analyze for PostgreSQL, etc).
• Performance and Reliability
• Conduct query optimization and tuning (execution plans, indexing, partitioning, caching strategies).
• Optimize Cosmos DB partition keys, RU throughput, consistency levels, and indexing policies.
• Tune PostgreSQL settings (autovacuum, checkpointing, work_mem, pg_stat_statements) and SQL Server configurations (tempdb, memory, MAXDOP, I/O).
• Security, Compliance, and Governance
• Implement least privilege access, RBAC/ABAC, and Managed Identities; integrate with Azure AD and Privileged Identity Management.
• Enforce encryption in transit and at rest; manage secrets with Azure Key Vault; configure network isolation (VNets, private endpoints, firewall rules, NSGs).
• Enable auditing, data masking, and threat detection; maintain compliance with relevant industry standards and internal governance.
• Collaborate with InfoSec, risk, and audit teams to ensure policy adherence and support periodic reviews.
• Automation and DevOps
• Automate administrative tasks using PowerShell, Azure CLI, and scripting (Python/Bash as needed).
• Implement infrastructure-as-code for database provisioning and configuration (Bicep/ARM/Terraform).
• Integrate database changes into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps/GitHub), supporting migration scripts, validation, and rollback strategies.
• Data Lifecycle and Migrations
• Plan and execute migrations between on-prem and Azure or across Azure services using Azure Database Migration Service, pg_dump/pg_restore, and native SQL tools.
• Validate data integrity and performance post-migration; coordinate cutover with application teams and associates.
• Document data retention policies, archival strategies, and lifecycle management.
• Incident Response and Support
• Troubleshoot production issues across the data stack; perform root cause analysis and implement permanent fixes.
• Create clear operational documentation, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Partner with application development, SRE, architecture, security, and platform teams to deliver stable, scalable solutions for our clients.
• Advise on schema design, data modeling, and capacity planning.
• Provide guidance on best practices for multi-tenant architectures, sharding, and high availability patterns.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on database administration experience, including:
• SQL Server (Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance): performance tuning, maintenance, backup/restore, HA/DR.
• PostgreSQL: configuration, tuning, extension management, replication, backup/restore.
• Cosmos DB: partitioning strategy, RU management, indexing, consistency, global distribution.
• Strong Azure expertise: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Alerts, Key Vault, Private Link, VNets, RBAC, Managed Identities, Defender for Cloud.
• Proficiency with scripting and automation: PowerShell and Azure CLI (Python/Bash a plus).
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code (Bicep/ARM/Terraform) and CI/CD integration (Azure DevOps/GitHub).
• Proven track record in security hardening, auditing, and compliance-oriented database management.
• Solid understanding of networking concepts impacting databases (latency, bandwidth, DNS, private endpoints).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hybrid environments (on-prem SQL Server/PostgreSQL/CosmosDB) and migration to Azure.
• Familiarity with AKS or containerized workloads interacting with databases.
• Knowledge of data governance, retention, and archival strategies.
• Exposure to streaming and integration patterns (Event Hubs, Kafka) and ETL/ELT workflows.
• Experience supporting highly regulated environments with robust controls and documentation.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) strongly preferred.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305) a plus.
• MongoDB Certified DBA and/or PostgreSQL certifications are advantageous.
• Redis certification or equivalent practical experience appreciated.

Core Competencies:

• Ownership, accountability, and a bias for automation.
• Clear written and verbal communication with both technical and non-technical associates.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; calm under pressure during incidents.
• Collaboration and stakeholder management across multiple teams and priorities.

Work Environment:

• On site in Memphis Tennessee or in First Horizon footprint.
• After-hours support for deployments, DR tests, and incident response.

Compensation:

• Competitive and commensurate with experience.

About Us:

First Horizon Corporation is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at

Benefit Highlights:

• Medical with wellness incentives, dental, and vision
• HSA with company match
• Maternity and parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Mentor program
• 401(k) with 6% match