Job Description

Basis

Full time

Job category/type

Business Support

Date posted

27/01/2026

Job reference

HJ0425

Background

We are a leading law firm operating across Wales and England, seeking an experienced MS SQL DBA to join our IT function on a fixed 6-month contract.

The role

The primary purpose of this role is to plan and deliver the migration of our existing SQL Server database environment to a new SQL Server environment.



Alongside the migration project, the role will help ensure the stability, security, and performance of the SQL Server estate throughout the transition period.

Key Responsibilities

Primary Responsibility - SQL Server Migration

Lead the end-to-end migration within the contract term. Assess the current SQL Server estate for compatibility, technical debt, and complete analysis which helps define the new environmental requirements (sizing). Define and document the migration approach (e.g. side-by-side, in-place, or hybrid). Plan and execute test migrations, including validation and performance benchmarking. Identify and mitigate risks related to application compatibility, data integrity, and performance. Coordinate migration activities with all relevant IT teams. Execute production cutover and post-migration validation. Optimise databases following migration to take advantage of SQL Server 2022 features. Produce clear technical documentation, migration plans, and handover materials.


Database Administration (Supporting the Migration)

Administer and support Microsoft SQL Server environments during the migration period. Monitor database health, availability, and performance to ensure business continuity. Maintain and validate backup, restore, and disaster recovery processes. Manage database security, including permissions, roles, and auditing. Apply patches and updates in line with best practice and change control processes. Provide operational support to development and test environments where required. You will be expected to fully collaborate with other key members of the IT function, working closely with developers, infrastructure, and security teams throughout the migration. Ensure knowledge transfer and handover at the end of the fixed-term engagement.

Skills & Experience

+ Proven experience as a Microsoft SQL Server DBA.
+ Strong experience with SQL Server 2012 and later versions.
+ Demonstrable SQL Server migration experience.
+ Solid understanding of SQL Server security and access control.
+ Strong T-SQL and performance tuning skills.
+ Experience with back-up, restore and disaster recovery strategies.
+ Ability to work independently and take ownership of a time-bound project
+ Demonstrate great collaboration skills working across multi-domain teams

Life at Hugh James

We never shy away from a challenge

We are a leading, full-service UK law firm. Since our beginning, we have been led by the things that matter. We care about fighting for the right outcomes. Solving the seemingly unsolvable. Protecting businesses, individuals and livelihoods. Supporting our people, our communities. Safeguarding our planet. Looking for a way forward? At Hugh James, challenges - of all sizes - are readily accepted.

The Hugh James difference

Our law firm has always been guided by the idea that self-belief is just as important as skillset. Our pursuit of righting wrongs and protecting what's important keeps us driving forwards. It's in our roots! We won't stop until we find the answers; the outcomes that are needed.

We are focused on the work we do, the business we run, and our culture. Our entrepreneurial spirit has taken us from humble beginnings to a strong presence across the UK with offices in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Plymouth - servicing clients from businesses, individuals and banks to public sector organisations, property companies, education establishments and utilities providers. Our collegiate culture, our forward-looking ethos, our values serve to make us bigger, better, bolder than ever before.

A positive force in the community

Our work with charities on a local and national level plays a huge part in our day-to-day lives. We work with a large range of charities, some of which we support through fundraising, donations, volunteering and others we partner with where our areas of work cross paths. Staff, clients everyone comes together through a shared passion to do good in the community and support those in need.

Some of our benefits on offer include:

Minimum of 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Two Corporate Social Responsibility days

Birthday day off

Death in service equivalent to twice annual salary

Auto enrolment pension scheme

Hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts for local businesses

Professional fees paid (subject to requirement for your role)

Employee recruitment incentive scheme

Hugh James is an equal opportunities and disability confident committed employer.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity. If you have questions, please contact Jo Herbert

We reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the given deadline if we receive sufficient applications for the role.