Role Summary
The SQL Server Team Lead is responsible for leading the database team while ensuring the availability, performance, security, and scalability of Microsoft SQL Server environments. The role combines hands-on technical expertise in SQL Server Administration and Database Development with leadership, mentoring, project coordination, and stakeholder communication.

Technical Responsibilities
SQL Server Administration:

• Design, implement, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server environments.
• Manage Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances (FCI), Log Shipping, Replication, and Disaster Recovery solutions.
• Monitor database health, performance, and capacity planning.
• Perform backup, restore, and recovery operations.
• Configure and optimize SQL Server instances following best practices.
• Troubleshoot performance issues using execution plans, wait statistics, DMVs, and Extended Events.
• Manage SQL Server security, permissions, encryption, and auditing.
• Plan and execute database upgrades, migrations, and patching activities.
• Monitor and optimize TempDB, memory, storage, and server configuration.
• Automate routine administrative tasks using PowerShell and T-SQL.

Database Development:

• Design and develop high-quality database objects including stored procedures, functions, views, and triggers.
• Write efficient and optimized T-SQL queries.
• Perform database performance tuning and query optimization.
• Design database schemas following normalization and best practices.
• Participate in code reviews and enforce development standards.
• Support application teams during database design and deployment.
• Implement data migration and ETL processes where required.
• Maintain database version control and deployment scripts.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and mentor database administrators and database developers.
• Assign tasks and manage workload distribution across the team.
• Conduct technical coaching and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Review technical designs and implementation plans.
• Define database standards, policies, and operational procedures.
• Coordinate database activities with infrastructure, development, security, and application teams.
• Participate in project planning, effort estimation, and resource allocation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the database team.
• Manage incident response, root cause analysis (RCA), and post-incident reviews.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation of team members.

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Effective stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work under pressure during production incidents.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Coaching and mentoring mindset.
• Adaptability and continuous learning.
• Time management and prioritization skills.

Required Technical Skills:

• Microsoft SQL Server (2016–2022)
• T-SQL Programming
• Performance Tuning & Query Optimization
• Always On Availability Groups
• Windows Failover Clustering
• Backup & Recovery Strategies
• Disaster Recovery & High Availability
• SQL Server Security
• Extended Events & SQL Profiler
• Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)
• PowerShell Automation
• SSIS
• Git or other Version Control Systems
• CI/CD concepts for database deployments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Microsoft SQL Server certifications are preferred.
• 8+ years of SQL Server administration and database development experience.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or team management experience.

Key Competencies

• Technical Leadership
• Database Architecture
• Operational Excellence
• Incident Management
• Performance Optimization
• Risk Management
• Team Development
• Communication
• Strategic Thinking
• Continuous Improvement