Job summary
- Main area
- EPR Programme
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- 13 months (This is a Fixed Term Contract or Secondment from 1st August 2025 until 30th September 2026 with the possibility of extension)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 388-7367491-EPR
- Employer
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Torquay / Exeter
- Town
- Torquay / Plymouth
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 per annum, This salary is indicative pending formal Job Matching
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 03/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Database Administrator - Data Archiving
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Database Administrator / Developer to design and develop a robust database platform for the archive solution for UHP and TSD Trusts. In this role you will be responsible for database administration tasks such as database restores and development tasks such extract development with a strong focus on understanding legacy source systems data models, optimizing data storage, retrieval, and long-term data retention strategies.
You will play a key role in managing the lifecycle of archived data, ensuring it is secure, accessible, and compliant with Trusts data retention policies. Working closely with infrastructure teams, application developers, and business stakeholders, you will help design efficient data models and implement automation to streamline archival processes.
This is role is being advertised pending the outcome of the formal Job Evaluation process. The advertised band and salary for the role is therefore indicative at this stage and may change subject to the formal outcome.
Main duties of the job
- Responsibility for managing the data repositories that support the Trust’s archiving needs.
- Create and manage the MS SQL Server database environments that serve archiving needs.
- Strong SQL querying skills.
- Install, configure, and maintain databases to ensure optimal performance and integrity.
- Set up and maintain tables, database views and indexes as needed.
- Manage user security for the SQL Server database environments.
- Maintain database backups and verify restores.
- Monitor database size and fragmentation levels.
- Create and maintain database objects as required
- Proactive monitoring and management of the environments to ensure optimal performance and integrity that meets the agreed availability and quality.
- Manage SQL Server and upgrades and updates to production and non-production environments.
- Collaborate with the server administrators to ensure that security updates are current.
- Conduct regular risk assessments of the solution to recommend actions to ensure that delivery of the Trust’s digital system is not compromised.
- Maintain and test failover procedures to ensure high availability.
- Attend digital seminars, user groups and meetings on relevant topics.
- Ensure compliance with the Trust Governance Procedures, Policies and Standards for data loads and interfaces.
Working for our organisation
The successful candidate will be expected to work onsite on a regular basis and divide their working days between Torquay and Plymouth to suit the needs of the Programme.
This role is available on a Fixed Term Contract or Secondment basis from a start date to be agreed until 30th September 2026.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Details of the main responsibilities of the role can be found in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- Degree in a relevant subject or extensive equivalent experience
- Professional qualification at master’s level or equivalent experience to Masters level (gained at senior digital/management level)
- Certification in managing and administering SQL Server
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Expert SQL Server skills in a critical operational environment
- Expert in at least one RDBMS (Oracle, MS SQL Server, Informix etc)
- Excellent scripting knowledge with a particular focus understanding data models with no to little supporting documentation
- At least 5 years’ experience in working in healthcare environments.
- Knowledge of NHS Information Standards and their application in technical infrastructure
- Considerable experience of database administration and design in the delivery of a corporate system
- Experience of managing mission critical systems to a high level.
- Experience of the IT security and other relevant areas of NHS Information Governance and DSPT requirements
Specific Skills
Essential criteria
- A deep understanding of SQL syntax, DDL (Data Definition Language), DML (Data Manipulation Language) and DCL (Data Control Language) is crucial.
- Innovative, able to problem solve and make decisions.
- Able to work in a pressurised environment.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Bernie Curtis
- Job title
- EPR Programme Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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