DataCenter Services - Database Services Architect & Operations Manager

We are looking for a highly skilled Database Service Architect & Senior Level 3 Administrator to design, optimize, and manage MS SQL and Oracle database environments. This role combines database service ownership, provider management, and hands-on expertise, ensuring high availability, security, and performance of critical database services. The operational support will be handled by external service providers, requiring strong vendor management and service governance skills.

As a key player in our IT infrastructure, you will define best practices, service strategies, and architectural improvements while acting as the technical escalation point for complex database challenges. If you have a passion for database architecture, automation, and optimizing managed services, this role is for you!

Key Responsibilities:

1. Database Architecture & Optimization

• Design and optimize MS SQL and Oracle database architectures for performance, scalability, and security.
• Define best practices, standards, and guidelines for database infrastructure.
• Ensure robust high availability (HA), disaster recovery (DR), and backup strategies aligned with business needs.
• Evaluate and recommend new database technologies, automation, and cloud integration strategies.

2. Service Management & Provider Oversight

• Define service strategies, SLAs, and KPIs for database operations managed by service providers.
• Manage relationships with external database service providers, ensuring contract compliance and high-quality service delivery.
• Evaluate provider performance and drive continuous service improvements.

3. Security, Compliance & Governance

• Collaborate with security and compliance teams to ensure database environments meet regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
• Implement security hardening practices and conduct regular audits & risk assessments.
• Define and enforce governance frameworks for database operations.

4. Level 3 Database Administration & Technical Expertise

• Act as the escalation point for complex MS SQL and Oracle database issues.
• Provide technical guidance to internal teams and service providers.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) and implement long-term solutions.
• Ensure proper configuration management, incident handling, and change management.
• Oversee monitoring, dashboard reporting, lifecycle management, patching, upgrades, and installations (on-premises & cloud).
• Manage user access, storage, troubleshooting, and day-to-day database operations.

5. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for automation and optimization in database operations.
• Support migration projects, database upgrades, and cloud transformations.
• Align database services with business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.
• Work closely with application, infrastructure, and security teams to support IT goals.

• Database administration proficiency in managing, securing and optimizing various Database systems
• Advanced knowledge in MSSQL Database Solution on-prem and in the cloud such as Single Instance, Always-On Cluster, Fail-over Cluster and MSSQL in Azure
• Advanced knowledge of Database security, backup and recovery and perfor-mance monitoring standards
• Strong understanding of MS SQL and Oracle Server-Client architecture, DB management tools
• Knowledge of ITIL processes, SLAs, KPIs, and contract/vendor management for externally managed database services.
• Strong understanding of database security best practices, access control, data encryption, auditing, and industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001, Tisax).
• Awareness of cloud-based database solutions (Azure SQL, AWS RDS, Oracle Cloud) and hybrid integration.
• Expertise in backup tools and methodologies (Veeam, Commvault, RMAN, Always On Availability Groups, Data Guard).
• Ability to align database architecture and service strategies with business objectives.
• Strong capability to coordinate with external providers, ensuring service excellence.
• Analytical mindset to diagnose and resolve complex database performance issues.
• Ability to lead discussions, mentor junior staff, and work cross-functionally with infrastructure, security, and application teams.

Being part of a global IT team of thousands of colleagues working on various innovations and tasks, there is always an opportunity to grow and move into different directions within our corporation.

On top of that you can expect the following benefits:

Individual development planning based on your personal needs and targets
Work from home up to 2 days a week (unless workshops etc. require physical presence)
Option to work from other EU countries up to 40 days per year
12 salaries per year
Agile and collaborative workstyle
Opportunity to make a difference
Employee discounts
An international team across multiple locations in a globally active organization
Company and tariff pension plan
Health insurance
Assistance with child-care
Relocation package offered if needed
Canteen on-site
On-site physicians
Sabbatical option

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging are important to us and make our company strong and successful. We offer equal opportunities to everyone - regardless of age, gender, nationality, cultural background, disability, religion, ideology or sexual orientation.

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.