Location: Dartford, Kent (Hybrid working - minimum 3 days per week in the Dartford office; candidates should be within reasonable commuting distance to Dartford)
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: Full - Time, Permanent,
Hours: Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 17.30hrs (37.5hrs per week)
Deadline: 26 June 2026 at 17:30
SQL Server Database Developer - The Role:
We are expanding our IT Development capability at Davies Turner and are looking for a talented SQL Server Database Developer to join our growing team in Dartford. This newly created role reflects our continued investment in technology and systems and offers the opportunity to play a key part in the development of business-critical database solutions.
This is a hybrid role, with a minimum expectation of 3 working days per week in our Dartford office. Candidates should ideally be based in or within reasonable commuting distance of Dartford.
You will be responsible for designing, developing, and improving database solutions that support our core business applications and integrations. Working closely with application and integration teams, you will help deliver high-quality, high-performing database components in a collaborative development environment.
The role is primarily focused on hands-on SQL Server database development, including database code, schema design, relational data modelling, and performance optimisation, using T-SQL and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Our current environment is centred on direct SQL Server development, with no reliance on ETL, SSIS, or similar data integration tooling. You will be working within an on-premise SQL Server Always On environment rather than a cloud-hosted database platform.
Reporting Line
You will report directly to the Solutions Lead and work closely with application and integration teams across the IT Development function.
SQL Server Database Developer - Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop and maintain high-quality T-SQL including stored procedures, views, functions, tables, and indexes.
- Design and maintain robust relational data models, schemas, and database structures to support application and integration requirements.
- Proactively analyse and resolve database performance bottlenecks using execution plans, indexing strategies, and query refactoring.
- Optimise high-volume transactional queries and reporting workloads within SQL Server, using T-SQL and SQL Server Management Studio.
- Design and support scalable database patterns suitable for high-availability environments.
- Support application and integration development through all stages of delivery.
- Support and promote controlled database changes across Development, Test, and Production environments.
- Work closely with Azure DevOps-based CI/CD and release processes to version database scripts, coordinate deployment sequencing, and reduce release risk.
- Ensure database changes are repeatable, auditable, and rollback-ready.
- Diagnose and resolve complex database-related incidents including failed deployments, data inconsistencies, and performance degradation.
- Support restore, recovery, and synchronisation activities in coordination with DBA teams or managed service partners.
- Contribute to improving database standards and documentation.
SQL Server Database Developer - You:
You are a proactive and analytical SQL Server professional who enjoys solving complex database and performance challenges. You can work independently when needed, but you also collaborate well with developers, technical colleagues, and stakeholders across the business. Organised and dependable, you are comfortable balancing development quality, delivery deadlines, and the care needed to work safely in production-focused environments.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Strong experience as a SQL Server Database Developer in a production environment.
- Excellent T-SQL skills including performance tuning and optimisation.
- Strong understanding of relational database design principles and best practice.
- Strong practical experience of relational data modelling and schema design in SQL Server.
- Hands-on experience developing directly in on-premise Microsoft SQL Server environments using T-SQL and SQL Server Management Studio.
- Strong hands-on experience in core SQL Server database development, with a background focused on database development and not primarily on ETL, SSIS, or similar data integration tooling.
- Experience using Azure DevOps to support database version control, deployment, and release processes.
- Experience supporting controlled database changes across multiple environments.
- Proven ability to analyse and resolve complex database performance and data issues.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Exposure to SQL Server Always On or other high-availability on-premise SQL Server environments.
- Some SQL Server administration experience would be advantageous.
- Experience working alongside application development teams.
Why Join Davies Turner
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing IT Development team within a well-established organisation and play a key role in the continued development of business-critical systems. You will have the chance to contribute to meaningful technical improvements, work closely with experienced colleagues, and help shape high-quality database solutions that support the wider business.
In addition, you will also need the right to work in the UK - we are not able to sponsor work permits.
SQL Server Database Developer - Benefits*:
- Up to 27 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Life Cover
- Profit related pay
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Discounted store/shopping benefit scheme
- Private Healthcare
- Car Parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Training opportunities
- Some benefits are subject to a qualifying period
To apply, please submit your CV together with a short covering letter outlining your relevant SQL Server development experience, including your experience of relational data modelling, T-SQL, and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Please also include your current salary, salary expectations, and notice period. As this is a hybrid role based in Dartford, candidates should also confirm their location or ability to commute to the Dartford office at least 3 days per week.
