Churchill Downs

Database Administrator

Churchill Downs$90K — $120K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years experience with relational databases, especially PostgreSQL
  • Familiarity with MongoDB is necessary
  • Proficiency in database performance tuning and optimization
  • Understanding of high-availability and disaster recovery solutions
  • Experience with backup and recovery methodologies
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to explain complex technical concepts simply

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and optimize database performance for high availability
  • Identify and resolve database performance bottlenecks
  • Maintain and configure PostgreSQL and MongoDB systems
  • Automate routine database maintenance tasks
  • Design and validate backup and disaster recovery processes
  • Support production environments and troubleshoot issues
  • Implement database security protocols and ensure compliance

Benefits

  • Opportunity for career growth and skill development
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
  • Flexibility in addressing system issues as they arise
  • Potential involvement in innovative projects in the gaming industry
  • Access to modern database technologies and practices
Full Job Description
JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Database Administrator (DBA) to support the reliability, performance, and scalability of our database environments. This role is responsible for managing and optimizing database systems, ensuring data integrity and availability, and supporting engineering teams through effective database design, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

The Database Administrator will work closely with Engineering, DevOps, and Product teams to ensure our data systems are performant, secure, and aligned with the needs of a growing, high-throughput platform. This role requires a balance of operational excellence, proactive monitoring, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on maintaining uptime and supporting production environments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Database Performance & Optimization
  • Monitor, analyze, and optimize database performance across environments to ensure high availability and responsiveness
  • Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, including query optimization, indexing strategies, and resource utilization
  • Partner with Engineering teams to improve database design and query efficiency

Database Administration & Maintenance
  • Install, configure, and maintain database systems (PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
  • Perform or automate routine database maintenance, including backups, restores, patching, and upgrades
  • Ensure database environments are stable, secure, and aligned with best practices

Backup, Recovery & Data Integrity
  • Design, implement, and maintain backup and recovery processes to ensure data protection and business continuity
  • Regularly test and validate backup and disaster recovery procedures
  • Ensure data integrity and consistency across systems, including replication and synchronization processes

Production Support & Incident Response
  • Support production environments by diagnosing and resolving database-related issues in a timely manner
  • Participate in incident response efforts, including root cause analysis and post-incident documentation
  • Collaborate with DevOps and Engineering teams to improve system reliability and prevent recurring issues

Security & Compliance
  • Implement and maintain database security protocols, including access controls, encryption, and auditing
  • Ensure database environments meet regulatory and compliance requirements relevant to the gaming industry
  • Support internal and external audits as needed

Monitoring & Automation
  • Implement and maintain monitoring solutions to proactively identify issues related to performance, capacity, and availability
  • Automate routine database administration tasks to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention
  • Partner with IT and DevOps to integrate database monitoring and alerting into broader system observability

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Software Engineering teams to support database needs throughout the development lifecycle
  • Provide guidance on database best practices, schema design, and data modeling
  • Collaborate with Product and Analytics teams to ensure data structures support reporting and business intelligence needs


REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Strong experience with relational databases, particularly PostgresSQL
  • Experience with MongoDB
  • Experience with database performance tuning, query optimization, and indexing strategies
  • Familiarity with backup and recovery tools and methodologies
  • Understanding of high-availability and disaster recovery architectures
  • Experience working in production environments with uptime and reliability expectations
  • Knowledge of database security best practices and compliance considerations
  • Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools
  • Experience collaborating with teams in Agile environments
  • Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)

  • 3-6 years of experience in database administration or related roles

  • Experience supporting production database environments

  • Experience in gaming, financial systems, or other regulated industries is a plus

  • Experience with cloud-based database environments (AWS, Azure) is a plus


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer

  • Ability to respond to system issues outside of standard business hours as needed

  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and through virtual platforms

About Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs is a leading entertainment company that operates a variety of businesses, including horse racing, casino gaming, and online wagering. The company is best known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Churchill Downs is committed to providing a world-class entertainment experience for its customers, while also promoting responsible gaming and supporting the communities in which it operates.
Learn more about Churchill Downs
Size
5,000 employees
Market Cap
$7.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$81.9 million
Founded
1875
5 Year Trend
+14.2%
Revenue
$1 billion
NASDAQ

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