Job title: Sr SQL Server DBA
Reports to: Manager, Database Administration
Department: IT Cloud
Location: Remote
Grade: 18
About the Role:
The Senior Database Administrator plays a critical role in ensuring the stability, performance, and security of Priority's mission-critical database environments across SQL Server and MySQL platforms, both on-premises and in AWS. This role owns day-to-day database health, monitoring, and incident response while driving continuous improvements to reliability, availability, and performance. You will partner closely with Cloud Engineering, Application Development, and Product teams to support revenue-impacting systems, balance real-time operational demands with long-term resiliency planning, and act as a trusted advisor on database-related decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Owns the end-to-end health, reliability, and performance of database environments through proactive monitoring, maintenance, and observability.
- Reviews database backups, maintenance activities, and health reports to ensure issues are identified and resolved within defined SLAs.
- Responds to database alerts and escalations, serving as an L3 escalation point and driving root-cause analysis and long-term corrective actions.
- Leads database performance tuning initiatives, including query optimization, index strategy, and workload-specific configuration improvements.
- Partners with Database Engineering to assess database performance trends and identify systemic risks or improvement opportunities.
- Collaborates with Cloud Engineering and Application Development teams to support scalable deployments and performance optimization.
- Defines and enforces database security standards in partnership with engineering and security stakeholders.
- Deploys and manages database objects (tables, indexes, views, stored procedures, packages) across multiple environments.
- Participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation and provides L1-L3 support as required.
- Contributes to planning and execution of initiatives that enhance database resiliency, availability, and operational transparency.
What Success Looks Like:
- Database environments demonstrate strong uptime, predictable performance, and reduced incident volume.
- Core responsibilities are executed with accuracy, efficiency, and clear ownership.
- Stakeholders rely on this role for timely guidance, sound judgment, and dependable execution on database-related matters.
- Incidents are resolved quickly with clear root-cause analysis and preventative measures implemented.
- Other teams are able to focus on product and business priorities due to stable, well-managed database platforms.
- You are viewed as a trusted partner who balances immediate operational needs with long-term system integrity and improvement.
Candidate Requirements:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 6+ years of experience supporting SQL Server databases in a production environment.
- Strong expertise in database monitoring, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.
- Experience supporting high-availability and disaster recovery configurations.
- Proficiency in analyzing database logs, execution plans, and performance metrics.
- Experience deploying and managing database objects across multiple environments.
- Willingness to participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.
- Strong root-cause analysis, communication, and collaboration skills.
Preferred:
- Experience supporting databases in AWS environments (RDS, Aurora, CloudWatch monitoring).
- Experience with very large databases (VLDB > 1TB).
- Familiarity with automation and scripting (T-SQL, PowerShell, CLI).
- Exposure to NoSQL platforms.
- Relevant certifications (MCTS, MCITP, MySQL, AWS Database Specialty).
- Experience with third-party monitoring and performance tools (e.g., Idera, SolarWinds, Datadog, Splunk).
Work Environment & Culture:
We believe that performance and experience go hand in hand - an exceptional employee experience is earned through contribution. We are a results-driven team, grounded in our core values: ownership, authenticity, service, trust, innovation, and camaraderie.
Our culture is built for those who want to make an impact. We challenge each other to grow, celebrate progress, and support one another through shared goals and real connection. Whether you're building technology, serving clients, or supporting internal teams, you'll be part of a company that empowers you to perform at your best and be known for results.
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation range: $125,000 - $140,000
We invest in the whole employee - personally and professionally. Our benefits package is designed to support your well-being, growth, and success - both inside and outside of work.
Financial Wellness
- Bonus programs
- 401(k) match
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
- HSA and FSA options
- Financial wellness resources and employee discount programs
Health & Well-being
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Mental health support for employees and dependents through Lyra Health
- Family planning and women's health benefits through Carrot
- Gym membership reimbursement and virtual wellness programs (including yoga)
Time Off
- 3 weeks PTO to start, with unlimited PTO after year one
Growth & Development
- Education expense reimbursement
- Leadership development programs
- Certified Payments Professional (CPP) certification support
We believe great performance starts with feeling supported - and we've built our benefits with that in mind.
Traditional Physical Requirements:
- Requires prolonged sitting, standing, bending, stooping and stretching.
- Requires the ability to lift 10 pounds.
- Requires eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity and a normal range of hearing and vision (with or without correction).
Join our team at Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. and be part of a dynamic and innovative company that is transforming the financial technology landscape. Together, we can shape the future of payments and banking solutions while providing unmatched value to our clients.
