Job Description

Ally Overview

At Ally, we take the safety and health of our employees seriously. Related to COVID-19, Ally moved quickly and decisively to protect the health and well-being of our teammates, including instituting a work-from-home protocol in mid-March. We are continuing to hire during this time and are finding new and innovative ways to onboard new teammates remotely. Flexibility remains key as we approach the evolving situation. Our teams will continue to work-from-home until leadership, in coordination with governmental guidance and requirements, determine that it is safe to re-enter our facilities.

You can read more about how Ally is supporting our employees, customers, auto dealers and communities during this unprecedented time here.

Position Description

This is a senior-level Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator. This candidate will be well versed in data migration for Microsoft SQL Server database, and provide administration support to the development part of the Database Operations and Maintenance team. The resource will be capable of identifying challenges, offer alternative solutions, and advice on complex MS SQL related problems. This role is also responsible for translating business requirements and functional specifications into technical requirements that support integrated and sustainable database systems. Viewed as the subject matter expert for the team. Manages multiple, moderately complex projects and direct activities of a team related to special initiatives or operations. Routinely accountable for technical knowledge and capabilities as a team member or as an individual contributor. Works under minimal supervision, with general guidance from more seasoned consultants or managers. Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criterion for obtaining results. This person must also develop and apply an in-depth understanding of company and industry best practice methodologies, policies, standards, and controls in order to participate in all database life management phases.

Job Responsibilities

* Implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases within a multi-tiered environment.
* Adding or modifying system/user permissions to databases or database servers.
* Perform capacity planning, cluster set up, performance tuning and monitoring.
* Troubleshoot SQL DB slowness, Disk/Memory/CPU utilization and suggest resolutions.
* Analyze processing issues and data anomalies and identify solutions.
* Responsible for ensuring availability and performance of all databases.
* Work with Infrastructure Team to ensure that needed system resources are allocated to the databases and to ensure high availability and optimal performance of the databases.
* Troubleshoot query performance issues and provide recommendations
* Schedule and perform regular SQL DB maintenance operations according to workload patterns and usage of the SQL DB
* Configure and maintain Microsoft SQL DB alerts for various system usage thresholds.
* Play a critical role in design, build, implementation, upgrade and optimization of Microsoft SQL databases.
* Perform requested changes, updates and modifications to database structure and data.
* Perform database patches and upgrades without downtime.
* Ensure that technical modifications do not adversely affect database integrity, stability and system availability.
* Implement solutions for Microsoft SQL database backup and recovery infrastructure.
* Monitor/maintain/upgrade Microsoft SQL database and assist application teams with performance tuning initiatives and enhancements
* Assist in Backup and Recovery operations including Disaster Recovery planning.
* Assist with SQL database build and task automation
* Ensure that the database configuration items are properly maintained in the Configuration Repository
* Build Operations and Maintenance (O&M) checklists to maintain the service (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly O&M checklists); build Tactics, Techniques and Processes (TTPs) and Standard Operating Processes (SOPs) associated with SQL databases
* Ensure proactive engagement in Incident Management process, working with cross-functional teams to minimize the impact of database outages.
* Configure and maintain database servers and processes
* Ensure high levels of performance, availability, sustainability and security
* Identify, Analyze and Solve issues in real time
* Refine and automate regular processes, track issues, and document changes
* Assist developers with query tuning and schema refinement
* Provide 24x7 support for critical production systems
* Perform scheduled maintenance and support release deployment activities after hours

Qualifications

* Strong verbal and written communication skills
* 5+ years of hands-on SQL Server DBA experience
* Excellent communication skills. Ability to interact well with other teams
* Hands-on knowledge of install/configure/monitor/support SQL Server 2014/2016/2017. SQL Server 2019 experience is a plus
* Hands-on knowledge of install/configure/support SQL Server AlwaysOn/Log Shipping/Replication features
* Hands-on Knowledge of SQL Clustering and of ability to install/configure/support SQL clusters on VMware virtual servers
* Hands-on knowledge of install/configure/support SQL Server databases on AWS/Azure
* Hands-on knowledge of install/configure/monitor/support SSIS/SSRS/SSAS components
* Hands-on knowledge of SQL Server upgrades, database migrations & applying SQL security patches
* Excellent SQL Server troubleshooting skills
* Good Windows PowerShell programming skills
* Ability to participate in on-call rotation
* Working knowledge of IDERA SQL Server Diagnostic Manager monitoring
* Working knowledge of Active Directory and how SQL Server interacts with Active Directory
* Working knowledge of SQL Server Auditing and Compliance
* Hands-on knowledge of SQL Server instance builds and task automation
* Ability to design, install, configure, and secure Microsoft SQL Server 2016 in an Always on Clustered Mode.
* Experience with Data migration with different servers,
* Ability to explain fundamental differences between Active and passive cluster from 2012 to 2016
* Must have solid problem determination skills supporting Microsoft SQL problems.
* Ability to work well independently and within a team environment.

Desired job skills:

* Latest Microsoft SQL Server Certification
* Certification in Data Security
* ITIL Certification
* Ansible based Automation
* Database Containers

Total Rewards

Ally's compensation program offers market-competitive base pay and pay-for-performance incentives (bonuses) based on achieving personal and company goals. Plus, we have a flexible paid-time-off program including time off for volunteer opportunities. Ally's Total Rewards Program is designed to enrich your life at work -- and outside of it and includes:

* Industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions
* Wellness program encouraging healthy living with financial rewards
* Flexible health insurance options including dental and vision
* Pre-tax Health Savings Account with generous employer contributions
* Pre-tax commuter benefits
* Other work-life integration benefits including parental and caregiver leave, adoption assistance, backup child and adult/elder day care program, childcare discounts, tuition reimbursement, LifeMatters Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers program and other employee discount programs