Senior Database Administrator at Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Database Administrator
Company: Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG)
Location: Remote (United States)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Database Administration
Date Posted: June 27, 2025

🚀 Role Summary

Lead data modeling and database creation efforts, focusing on data marts and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Manage database operations and troubleshoot SQL Server backups, restores, replication, performance tuning, and query optimization.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data consistency and integrity across the organization.
Maintain and enhance database performance, security, and availability.
Contribute to the development and implementation of database strategies that support business goals and objectives.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Database Management: Lead the database creation and management effort through data modeling and create data marts.
SQL Server Administration: Set up and manage Microsoft SQL Server databases in virtual and clustered environments.
Backup and Recovery: Perform and troubleshoot SQL Server backups, restores, and replication strategies.
Performance Tuning: Optimize SQL Server performance through tuning, query optimization, and indexing.
Data Warehousing: Design, develop, and maintain data warehouses and data marts to support business intelligence and reporting.
Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, data analysts, and business stakeholders, to ensure data consistency and integrity.
Security and Compliance: Implement and maintain database security best practices, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Experience: 8+ years of professional experience in database administration, with a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server.

Required Skills:

Expertise in data modeling and creating data marts.
Proficiency in setting up and managing Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Experience with SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
Strong knowledge of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), ETL processes, and data warehousing principles.
Familiarity with operational data stores (ODS), XML, and shell scripting (Bash, PowerShell).
Experience with data modeling tools and techniques.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with cloud-based database platforms (e.g., Azure SQL Database, AWS RDS).
Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
Knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).
Experience with data governance and metadata management.

Certifications: None required, but relevant Microsoft SQL Server certifications are a plus.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing your database administration experience, including data modeling, data mart creation, and SQL Server management projects.
Live demonstrations of your SQL Server performance tuning, backup and recovery, and replication strategies.
Case studies highlighting your collaboration with cross-functional teams and your impact on data consistency and integrity.

Technical Documentation:

Detailed documentation of your database design, data modeling, and ETL processes.
Code comments and documentation demonstrating your attention to detail and commitment to best practices.
Performance metrics and optimization techniques used in your SQL Server environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (USD), depending on experience and location.

Benefits:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
Professional development opportunities and training.
Flexible work arrangements and remote work options.

Working Hours: Full-time, with some flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Syms Strategic Group, LLC operates in the government services and information technology sectors, providing data management, analytics, and technology solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies.

Company Size: Medium-sized company with a team of over 100 employees.

Founded: 2010, with a strong focus on delivering innovative and cost-effective technology solutions to the public sector.

Team Structure:

A dedicated database administration team, consisting of senior, mid-level, and junior database administrators.
Cross-functional collaboration with data analysts, software developers, and project managers.
A supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

Development Methodology:

Agile development methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and delivery.
Regular code reviews, pair programming, and knowledge-sharing sessions to ensure code quality and best practices.
A strong commitment to data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

Company Website: Syms Strategic Group, LLC

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Database Administrator, responsible for leading database management efforts, mentoring junior team members, and driving strategic database initiatives.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Data Management, with a dotted-line relationship to the Chief Technology Officer.

Technical Impact: Oversees the design, implementation, and maintenance of critical databases, ensuring data integrity, security, and availability. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven insights and support business goals.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: Transition into a technical lead or architecture role, focusing on strategic database design and implementation.
Team Management: Lead a team of database administrators, mentoring junior team members and driving team success.
Specialization: Develop expertise in emerging database technologies, cloud-based solutions, or specific industry verticals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote work environment, with occasional on-site meetings and training sessions.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, with additional offices in various locations across the United States.

Workspace Context:

A remote work environment with a focus on collaboration, communication, and productivity.
Access to remote desktop and virtual machine solutions for managing SQL Server environments.
Regular team meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and one-on-one check-ins to ensure team alignment and success.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for project deadlines, maintenance windows, and on-call rotations.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone or video call to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
Technical Assessment: A hands-on assessment of SQL Server administration, data modeling, and performance tuning skills.
Behavioral Interview: An in-depth discussion of your problem-solving approach, teamwork, and adaptability.
Final Interview: A meeting with senior leadership to discuss your career goals, alignment with the company's mission, and next steps.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your data modeling and data mart creation projects, demonstrating your ability to design and implement complex database solutions.
Showcase your SQL Server performance tuning, backup and recovery, and replication strategies, with a focus on real-world examples and tangible results.
Emphasize your collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your SQL Server administration skills, focusing on data modeling, performance tuning, and backup and recovery strategies.
Practice common SQL Server interview questions and prepare for hands-on assessments.
Research the company's industry focus and prepare questions to demonstrate your understanding of their mission and values.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Management Systems:

Microsoft SQL Server (2016, 2019)
Azure SQL Database (optional)

Data Modeling Tools:

Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)
ER/Studio
PowerDesigner

ETL Tools:

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Talend (optional)

Cloud Platforms:

Microsoft Azure (optional)
Amazon Web Services (optional)

Version Control Systems:

Git
Azure DevOps (optional)

Scripting Languages:

Transact-SQL (T-SQL)
PowerShell
Bash

Monitoring Tools:

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Azure Monitor (optional)
Datadog (optional)

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools:

Terraform (optional)
Ansible (optional)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Database Administration Values:

Precision: Attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
Reliability: Ensuring database availability, security, and performance under various conditions.
Continuous Learning: Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven insights and support business goals.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with data analysts, software developers, and project managers to ensure data consistency and integrity.
Code Review Culture: Regular code reviews and pair programming sessions to ensure code quality and best practices.
Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in team meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and one-on-one check-ins to ensure team alignment and success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Data Modeling: Designing and implementing complex database structures that support business intelligence and reporting.
Performance Tuning: Optimizing SQL Server performance through indexing, query optimization, and hardware upgrades.
Data Warehousing: Developing and maintaining data warehouses and data marts to support business intelligence and reporting.
Cloud Migration: Migrating on-premises databases to cloud-based solutions, ensuring data security, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Emerging Technologies: Exploring and implementing emerging database technologies, such as graph databases, time-series databases, and in-memory databases.
Cloud-Based Solutions: Deepening your expertise in cloud-based database platforms, such as Azure SQL Database and AWS RDS.
Data Governance: Developing expertise in data governance, metadata management, and data quality assurance.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

SQL Server Administration: Describe your experience with SQL Server backups, restores, and replication strategies. How do you approach performance tuning and query optimization?
Data Modeling: Walk us through your process for designing and implementing complex database structures. How do you ensure data integrity and consistency?
ETL Processes: Explain your experience with ETL processes, data warehousing, and data mart creation. How do you approach data quality assurance and metadata management?

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Focus: How do you see your role supporting the company's mission and industry focus?
Team Dynamics: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams. How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration?
Problem-Solving Approach: Walk us through a challenging database administration scenario you've faced and how you approached it. What was the outcome, and what did you learn?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Data Modeling Projects: Highlight your data modeling and data mart creation projects, demonstrating your ability to design and implement complex database solutions.
SQL Server Performance Tuning: Showcase your SQL Server performance tuning, backup and recovery, and replication strategies, with a focus on real-world examples and tangible results.
Collaboration Skills: Emphasize your collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, with specific examples of your impact on data consistency and integrity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Database Administrator position:

Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your database administration experience, focusing on data modeling, SQL Server management, and performance tuning skills.
Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio showcasing your database administration projects, with a focus on data modeling, data mart creation, and SQL Server management.
Technical Interview Preparation: Brush up on your SQL Server administration skills, focusing on data modeling, performance tuning, and backup and recovery strategies. Practice common SQL Server interview questions and prepare for hands-on assessments.
Company Research: Thoroughly research Syms Strategic Group, LLC, focusing on their industry focus, company culture, and mission. Prepare questions to demonstrate your understanding and alignment with their values.
Application Submission: Submit your application through the provided link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately and thoroughly.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Database Administrator