At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Purpose of the role:

Although our production and financial results are the engine that drives our business, it is the depth of capability in our people that will continue to determine First Quantum’s ongoing success. Reporting to the Regional IT Manager - EMEA of our IT division, this role will form an integral part of our Regional IT team, responsible for maintaining the performance, reliability, and security of FQM's SQL database environment, which spans both on-premises and cloud-based solutions. The incumbent will design, implement, and manage databases, with a focus on following Information Integration Standards, while also collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

The Senior SQL Server Database Administrator’s general accountabilities include, but are not limited to, the below:

Database Core Management:

Administer and maintain SQL Server databases with Enterprise-level complexity, ensuring data integrity, security, and availability

Perform database health checks, monitor resource utilization, and fine-tune configurations for optimal performance.

Regularly upgrade and patch database systems to maintain compliance and security

Design and optimise database structures for:

Partitioning strategies

File group management

Table and index design

Memory and storage configurations

Collaborate with:

Data Architects on implementing data models

Application teams on database design requirements

Infrastructure teams on capacity planning

Performance Optimization:

Query performance tuning and plan analysis

Index strategy development and maintenance

Implement proactive performance monitoring and alerting systems

Workload analysis and optimization

Capacity planning and growth management

Hybrid Environment Administration:

Manage hybrid database environments, balancing workloads across on-premises and cloud platforms

Implement cloud technologies for enhanced availability and disaster recovery, in line with the enterprise cloud roadmap (80% enterprise, 20% cloud)

High Availability & Disaster Recovery:

Implement and maintain high availability solutions:

Always On Availability Groups configurationFailover Cluster Instance managementDatabase mirroring where applicableLog shipping and replication setup

Manage comprehensive backup and recovery:

Design and implement backup strategiesRegular recovery testing and validationDisaster recovery documentation and procedures

Incident and Operational Support:

Provide database-related expertise as part of an incident response team which supports 24/7 operations:

P1 (Critical): X minute responseP2 (High): X minute responseP3 (Medium): Next business dayDocument and resolve recurring problems through root cause analysisContribute to and maintain incident response playbooks

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Or

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

Microsoft SQL Server certifications

MCSA

Experience & Technical Skills Required:

8+ years of enterprise-level SQL Server database administration experience, including:

Experience managing databases >1TB in sizeExperience with high-availability configurationsProduction environment experience in regulated industries

Advanced expertise in SQL Server Enterprise database management and administration

Proficiency in T-SQL and PowerShell scripting for automation and operational efficiency

Strong experience in query optimization, indexing strategies, and performance tuning

Hands-on experience with multi-region database deployments and high-availability configurations

Familiarity with hybrid on-premises and cloud database solutions (Azure SQL, Managed Instances.)

Extensive experience (3+ years) on Azure databases

Extensive experience (8+ years) on MS SQL server

3+ years of experience with NoSQL databases (Bonus)

Experience in cloud migration projects, especially migrating databases to Enterprise environments (Advantages)

Expertise in advanced Azure integration, including Azure Synapse Analytics, and Managed Instances (Advantages)

Advantageous:

Additional Azure certificationsExperience with migration projectsNoSQL database experience

Behavioural Traits Required:

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to troubleshooting

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Adaptability to evolving technologies and a commitment to continuous learning

Performance and results orientated

Team player

Effective communication abilities

Ability to manage change

Ability to work under pressure

Knowledge and interest in computer systems and the latest technologies 

Other Requirements:

Candidates must have the right to work in the applicable region without visa sponsorship

Willingness to work and travel across FQM’s operations and locations worldwide

Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other languages highly regarded

Roadmap and Vision:

Short-Term Goals: Enhance existing on-premises enterprise database systems, addressing immediate performance, scalability, and security requirements. Establish a robust backup and disaster recovery framework.

Mid-Term Goals: Initiate and lead the migration of select workloads to the cloud, ensuring 20% of database operations are seamlessly transitioned to Azure. Introduce hybrid management tools and practices for smoother integration.

Long-Term Goals: Transition towards an enterprise-level cloud-first architecture, leveraging Microsoft’s Azure ecosystem. Develop fully scalable, high-availability solutions to support the organization’s data-driven initiatives.

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