Team Lead Database Administrator, SQL Server

The primary purpose of the Team Leader, Database Administration – SQL Server role is to lead and manage the SQL Database Administration team, ensuring the delivery of a secure, stable, efficient, and high-performing database environment across both on-premises and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms.

The role is also responsible for supporting business and technology teams in the effective use of MUFG MPMS database technologies and tools. This includes the diagnosis, resolution, and root cause analysis of database-related issues, the identification and documentation of problem workarounds, and support for scheduled system upgrades, releases, and deployments. The Team Leader will ensure adherence to information security and data governance policies, oversee the timely execution of service requests in line with agreed service levels and performance targets, and provide technical leadership to maintain the availability and reliability of core business applications in a 24x7 operational environment.

The successful candidate will have proven experience leading a team of highly skilled Database Administrators and supporting large, complex application environments within the financial services industry. Extensive experience managing multiple large-scale SQL Server databases and data warehouse environments is essential, along with a strong focus on operational excellence, service delivery, security, and continuous improvement.

Extensive experience supporting large-scale SQL Server RDBMS environments across both on-premises and Microsoft Azure platforms is essential. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to evaluate, understand, and adopt emerging database technologies and best practices, including cloud computing, High Availability (HA), Disaster Recovery (DR), backup and recovery strategies, and database resilience solutions.

Key Accountabilities and main responsibilities

Strategic Focus

• Build and lead a high-performing Database Administration team to deliver secure, reliable, and efficient database services, ensuring operational objectives, service levels, and business priorities are consistently achieved.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture that encourages employee engagement, continuous learning, innovation, and professional development through effective leadership and clear direction.
• Drive service excellence initiatives that enhance database reliability, performance, scalability, and operational efficiency through automation, standardisation, and the adoption of best practices.
• Promote a strong risk and security culture by ensuring compliance with information security policies, regulatory requirements, and database governance standards, while implementing appropriate controls and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with business, technology, and vendor stakeholders to ensure database services align with organisational objectives and support business-critical operations.
• Lead and support technology transformation initiatives, including cloud adoption, platform modernisation, automation, and continuous improvement across database environments.
• Champion a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence, customer service, accountability, resilience, continuous improvement, and alignment with MUFG's organisational values and strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of Database Services by identifying emerging technologies, industry trends, and opportunities to improve platform capability, security, availability, and cost efficiency.

Operational Management

• Lead and manage the SQL Database Administration team.
• Ensure established procedures, service standards, and SLAs are consistently adhered to by the team.
• Ensure database security controls comply with organisational security policies and participate in security audits as required.
• Provide DBA support across all MUFG database environments, including:
• Maintaining and enhancing existing procedures and operational processes.
• Managing database backup and recovery activities.
• Developing and maintaining procedures to minimise downtime and performance degradation.
• Conducting database performance assessments and implementing optimisation initiatives.
• Provide capacity management and growth forecasting reports to IT Management.
• Provide recommendations on system configuration and operational infrastructure to support business and technology requirements.
• Adopt and promote best-practice approaches for database administration and operational management.
• Manage monitoring tools, system alerts, and escalation processes to ensure proactive issue resolution.
• Raise and manage change requests and defect tickets as required.
• Evaluate software products and technologies to determine their suitability and value in meeting MUFG's business and operational needs.
• Configure, administer, and fine-tune databases, queries, and reporting solutions.
• Review and assess the impact of all database changes proposed by development teams.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of IT operations processes and procedures.
• Provide system, service, and environment-related KPI reporting as required.
• Represent the Database Administration team during incidents by liaising with developers, application support teams, database administrators, and vendors to ensure timely resolution.
• Participate in on-call and support rosters as required to support a 24x7 operational environment.

People Leadership

• Coach and mentor team members to strengthen their technical knowledge, skills, and capabilities within the database technology domain.
• Identify training and development needs and secure appropriate learning resources for the DBA team.
• Provide training and knowledge-sharing sessions to IT support teams on supported database tools, technologies, and environments.
• Prepare and manage support and on-call rosters for the team.
• Act as the second-in-command (2IC) for the Manager, Database Services, as required.
• Organise team meetings and stakeholder engagements to enhance team effectiveness, collaboration, and service delivery.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and high performance within the team.
• Support career development and succession planning initiatives to build team capability and resilience.

Governance & Risk

• Manage and resolve Information Security corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Complete compliance requirements, GRC cases, and problem management tasks within agreed timeframes.
• Prepare, maintain, and manage SQL Database governance, operational, and compliance activities.
• Develop and maintain documentation relating to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational processes.
• Escalate security issues, vulnerabilities, and breaches to the Manager, Database Services.
• Report any issues that may impact business operations, service availability, or regulatory compliance to Management.
• Monitor service levels for incidents and service requests and implement improvement initiatives to achieve service objectives.
• Maintain awareness of and champion ITIL best practices across the team.
• Adhere to all MUFG standards, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance with security, technology, and operational requirements.
• Monitor service performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Maintain compliance with patching, vulnerability management, backup, and recovery requirements.
• Identify, assess, manage, and escalate operational risks as appropriate.
• Drive the continual improvement of platform reliability, resilience, availability, and overall service quality.

The above list of key accountabilities is not an exhaustive list and may change from time-to-time based on business needs.

Experience & Personal Attributes

Experience

• Over 10+ years of experience supporting large, complex, business-critical 24x7 application environments.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Management Information Systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Tertiary qualification in Computer Science or a related field.
• Proven experience leading and managing a team of SQL Server Database Administrators.
• Extensive experience supporting multiple database environments across on-premises and Microsoft Azure IaaS and PaaS platforms.
• Strong knowledge of SQL Server RDBMS, with excellent SQL scripting, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Solid experience working with Microsoft Azure IaaS and PaaS solutions.
• Experience with Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), and similar technologies.
• Experience managing large-scale data warehouse and reporting environments.
• Strong understanding of structured programming methodologies, data analysis, and database design principles.
• Experience implementing and supporting High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) technologies, including emerging solutions and best practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex software and interface-related issues.
• Demonstrated willingness to take ownership, accept responsibility, and be accountable for service delivery outcomes.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and Power BI.
• Strong documentation skills, with the ability to create and maintain technical and operational documentation.

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation and build trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Experience within the Superannuation industry or, preferably, the broader Financial Services sector.
• Availability to provide on-call support and work flexible shifts in line with business and operational requirements.
• Highly effective communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated willingness to take ownership, accept responsibility, and be accountable for service delivery outcomes.
• Strong leadership capabilities with a focus on coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving business and operational requirements.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.