Database Administrator – Hybrid - Johannesburg at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• Our client is a specialist vehicle finance group focused on delivering tailored financing solutions to individuals and businesses across South Africa.
• They are currently seeking a Database Administrator to take ownership of the Organisation’s data infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability across critical database environments, including Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, MySQL, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon RDS.
• Cloud exposure within Azure and AWS environments is advantageous, as is experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform and AWS CloudFormation.

DUTIES

• Take ownership of the organisation’s database and data infrastructure environments.
• Administer and maintain Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon RDS platforms.
• Monitor, optimise, and tune database performance across all supported environments.
• Write, review, and optimise complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and triggers.
• Implement proactive monitoring mechanisms to detect and resolve performance bottlenecks.
• Manage backup strategies, disaster recovery planning, and high-availability configurations.
• Execute database upgrades and patches with minimal operational disruption.
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation relating to database environments and processes.
• Enforce data integrity, access controls, audit logging, and security best practices.
• Provide architectural input and guidance on database design, modelling, and best practices.
• Collaborate with development, DevOps, and cloud engineering teams.
• Provide on-call support and respond to production incidents and critical alerts.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Database Administrator, with strong SQL Server expertise.
• Proven experience administering Microsoft SQL Server (2019+).
• Hands-on experience with MySQL.
• Experience working with Amazon Redshift and Amazon RDS.
• Strong performance tuning and query optimisation skills.
• Experience implementing backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Solid understanding of database security, compliance, and access control mechanisms.
• Authorised to work in South Africa (citizen or passport holder).
• Visa sponsorship not available.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience with Azure cloud environments.
• Experience using Terraform.
• Experience with AWS CloudFormation.

ATTRIBUTES

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and take technical ownership.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on data integrity and accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
• Proactive approach to monitoring, optimisation, and risk mitigation.
• Calm and effective under pressure, particularly during system incidents.