Database Administrator

• locations
• Milton Keynes

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Today

• job requisition id
• R7239

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

SQL Database Administrator

Permanent

Milton Keynes

Salary: £52,596 - £59,107

Working arrangements: Hybrid (2 anchor days in the office per week – Tuesday and Thursday, flexibility available)

Introduction

Are you passionate about database technology and want to make a real impact in education? At AQA, you’ll play a key role in supporting the systems that help millions of learners succeed. This is your chance to join a collaborative team and work on exciting projects that keep our technology running smoothly.

Purpose of the role

As a Database Administrator, you’ll ensure our Microsoft SQL Server databases are secure, performant, and future-ready. Your work will directly support AQA’s mission to deliver fair and reliable assessments for learners everywhere. You’ll be part of a team that underpins critical systems used in scanning and marking exams.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and maintaining SQL Server databases across on-premise and Azure environments.
• Supporting upgrades, migrations, and performance tuning to keep systems efficient and secure.
• Collaborating with development and architecture teams to deliver robust database solutions.

What we are looking for

• Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server administration and performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience with Azure cloud services and hybrid environments.
• Proven track record of SQL Server upgrades and migrations.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve database issues quickly and effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

What’s in it for you

• Working on impactful projects that support millions of learners.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• A flexible hybrid working model for better work-life balance.
• A supportive, inclusive culture that values your ideas and expertise.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by 26 January 2026. Interviews will take place from w/c 2 February (first stage -MS Teams) and w/c 9 February (second stage face-to-face).

#PRO22

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Activities:

Consultancy & Design and Training

Identify customer requirements for database architecture - face to face and on-site where required.

Produce proposals and solution options that are performant, secure, fit for purpose and aligned with the company IT strategies.

Provide advice and recommendations as database technology expert.

Develop, produce and deliver training on operating and managing AQA application database systems to partners.

Proactively collaborate with architecture and application development teams, at all appropriate levels of the SDLC, to ensure the database environment meets current and future business objectives.

Provide advice to customers where required, advising on database architecture for future systems development.

Installation and Commissioning

Build physical/virtual/cloud based database solutions to meet defined and agreed customer requirements,

Define, produce and maintain supporting documentation for system implementations.

Install and commission applications.

Support required testing processes to ensure the applications are meeting required metrics and SLAs.

Application Development

Work with development teams to support development of new releases.

Provide fixes for logged defects prioritised by Product/Project Manager.

Support development of new features by driving the design and development of database elements to meet requirements.

Technical Operational Support

Identify future requirements from the business regarding future application usage and produce a capacity plan showing impact on operation systems, identifying activities required to support capacity changes

Implement proactive maintenance plans to ensure the application is optimal, based on industry best practice, testing outcomes and live monitoring.

Implement system monitoring and alerting for the application estate that ensures application health state is monitored and defined user groups receive appropriate alerting in the event of failure or degradation of service.

Provide incident support as required, ensuring workloads are prioritised appropriately and in line with operational requirements.

Proactively analyse the performance of the application databases within the estate identifying key performance indicators that can be measured and reported on a regular basis.

Identify proactive maintenance work such as SQL server patching and schedule testing and roll out to ensure systems are operating with minimal risks.

Provide out of hours support on a rota basis for identified peak periods.

Maintain supportability and uphold security controls

Maintain the supportability of the databases and perform version update as and when required. Apply security controls on databases as required and adhere to organization security standards.

Process improvement

Identify areas of process improvement for Platform Services and Support Team to identify efficiency, accuracy and cost savings improvements as well as ensuring standard repeatable processes can be followed.

Agree and prioritise implementation of process improvements with line manager and the team.

Ensure all documentation is accurate and maintained to reflect the estate, as well as identify opportunities for improvement.

Creation of new services

Identify opportunities to deliver new services to customers (e.g. data analysis and reporting services).

Agree and prioritise the development of new services that can be offered by Platform Services and Support Team.

Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):

Design and right-size a database solution based on performance test strategies and capacity requirements

Tune and monitor a database based on specific metrics and requirements

Implement data security

Carry out data modelling and design

AQA_IMPLEMENT_Back-up, recovery and HA database architecture to meet recovery requirements

Ensure data integrity

Data extraction, transformation and loading (ETL)

Develop and maintain automation scripts using PowerShell, Azure CLI, or other scripting tools to streamline routine DBA tasks.

AQA_IMPLEMENT_Automation for deployment as per DevOps requirements

Extensive knowledge of the options for hosting SQL databases in Azure, along with the appropriate use of each

How to migrate SQL databases from on-premise to Azure

How to troubleshoot performance issues occurring within Azure SQL databases

How to optimise associated hosting costs

About Us

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on

07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact:

temprecruit@aqa.org.uk

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here. 

Contact

Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk