Job Description: Senior Systems & Database Administrator

Job Title: Senior Unix/Linux & Database Administrator

Dept: Infrastructure Operations

Reports to: Head of Infrastructure

Job Purpose

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on, and experienced Senior Administrator specialising in Unix/Linux environments and Database management within the financial services sector. This role is critical to the stability, performance, and scalability of core banking and financial platforms. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in enterprise server hardware, multi-flavour Unix/Linux system administration, and robust database management, with hands-on experience supporting mission-critical financial applications.

Main Responsibilities

• Database Management: Administer and optimise enterprise databases supporting core financial applications, ensuring high availability, performance, and security.
• Server Administration: Manage and maintain Linux and Unix-based servers hosting core banking and related financial systems.
• Maintenance: Perform system upgrades, patching, and performance tuning across Operating Systems and database layers.
• Strategic Planning: Plan and specify infrastructure requirements in conjunction with senior IT leadership and stakeholders.
• Technical Collaboration: Collaborate with application teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues impacting production services.
• Data Integrity: Implement and monitor backup and recovery strategies using standard enterprise tools and high-availability protocols.
• Automation: Automate routine tasks using scripting and configuration management tools.
• Compliance: Ensure alignment with IT security policies and international regulatory requirements.
• Resiliency: Participate in disaster recovery planning and periodic testing.
• Operational Support: Provide on-call support and incident response for production environments; document procedures and operational runbooks.

Experience & Skills Required

• Database Expertise: 7+ years in Database Administration (DBA) roles, including experience with clustering, storage management, and performance tuning.
• Systems Expertise: 5+ years of hands-on experience with Linux (Enterprise distributions) and Unix system administration.
• Technical Languages: Advanced command of SQL, procedural database languages, and Unix scripting for backend integration.
• Industry Context: Proven experience supporting databases within a core banking environment.
• Architecture Knowledge: Strong understanding of banking and financial systems architecture.
• Automation & Tooling: Proficiency in shell scripting and modern automation tools; experience with enterprise monitoring and log analysis suites.
• Process Alignment: Familiarity with ITIL processes and formal change management frameworks.
• Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; ability to work independently within cross-functional teams.