Sr SQL Database administrator

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced French-speaking SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to support enterprise database platforms and business applications across Europe. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience administering and optimizing Microsoft SQL Server environments, supporting French-speaking business and IT stakeholders, and ensuring the availability, security, and performance of mission-critical databases.

This role will work closely with application, infrastructure, development, and business teams to deliver operational excellence, database modernization initiatives, and cloud adoption programs.

Key Responsibilities

SQL Server Administration

• Install, configure, patch, upgrade, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server environments.
• Administer SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019 and newer versions.
• Manage production, development, test, and DR database environments.
• Perform database capacity planning and growth forecasting.

Performance Management

• Monitor and optimize SQL Server performance.
• Analyze and tune: Queries, Stored Procedures, Indexes, Statistics, Execution Plans
• Troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, locking, blocking, and deadlock issues.

High Availability & Disaster Recovery

• Implement and support:
  • Always On Availability Groups
  • SQL Clustering
  • Log Shipping
  • Database Mirroring
  • Replication
• Design, test, and maintain backup and recovery solutions.
• Participate in disaster recovery planning and testing activities.

Database Development Support

• Support application developers and business users.
• Write and troubleshoot:
  • T-SQL
  • Stored Procedures
  • Functions
  • Views
  • Triggers
• Participate in database design reviews and implementation projects.

Automation & Monitoring

• Automate recurring DBA tasks using:
  • SQL Agent
  • PowerShell
  • Automation tools
• Implement and maintain monitoring solutions and operational dashboards.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, and operational procedures.

Cloud & Modernization

• Support Azure-based SQL environments.
• Participate in database migration and modernization initiatives.
• Administer:
  • Azure SQL Database
  • Azure Managed Instances
  • SQL Server on Azure VMs
  • Azure Storage services

Stakeholder Support

• Partner with French-speaking and English-speaking teams across Europe.
• Provide database expertise during incidents, projects, upgrades, and audits.
• Participate in on-call production support rotations when required.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Experience

• 8+ years of SQL Server DBA experience in enterprise environments.
• Strong experience with:
  • Microsoft SQL Server Administration
  • Performance Tuning
  • Backup & Recovery
  • High Availability Solutions
  • Disaster Recovery Planning
  • Security Administration
  • Capacity Planning
  • Database Monitoring

SQL Server Expertise

• SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019+
• Always On Availability Groups
• SQL Clustering
• Replication
• Mirroring
• Log Shipping
• SQL Agent
• T-SQL Development & Troubleshooting

Operating Systems

• Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022
• Active Directory fundamentals

Language Requirements

Fluent French (written and verbal)

Fluent English (written and verbal)

The candidate must be comfortable interacting directly with France-based business and IT teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with the following will be highly advantageous:

Cloud & Modern Platforms

• Azure SQL Database
• Azure Managed Instances
• Azure IaaS
• Azure Storage

DBA & Monitoring Tools

• Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager
• Redgate Toolset
• SQL Sentry
• SolarWinds DPA

Automation

• PowerShell
• Jenkins
• CI/CD integrations

Infrastructure Knowledge

• SAN storage technologies
• VMware
• Windows Clustering

Additional Technologies

• Oracle to SQL Server integrations
• Oracle GoldenGate
• SSRS
• SSIS
• Database migrations and consolidations
• MySQL PostgreSQL

Education

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Preferred Industry Experience

Candidates with experience supporting the following environments are particularly desirable:

• Insurance
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Claims Management Platforms
• Enterprise Shared Services Organizations