Job Description

Ally and Your Career

Ally Financial only succeeds when its people do - and that's more than some cliche people put on job postings. We live this stuff! We see our people as, well, people - with interests, families, friends, dreams and causes that are all important to them. Our focus is on the health and safety of our teammates as well as work-life balance and diversity and inclusion. From generous benefits to a variety of employee resource groups, we strive to build paths that encourage employees to stretch themselves professionally. We want to help you grow, develop, and learn new things. You're constantly evolving, so shouldn't your opportunities be, too?

The Opportunity

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 sophisticated 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 domain specialist 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 top-tier 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 standard methodologies, policies, standards, and controls in order to participate in all database life management phases.

The Work Itself

* Implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases within a multi-tiered environment.
* Adding or modifying system/user permissions to databases or database servers.
* Perform cluster set up, performance tuning and monitoring.
* Solve 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.
* Solve 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 multi-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 Tackle 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

The Skills You Bring

* Strong verbal and written communication skills
* 5+ years of hands-on SQL Server DBA experience
* Superb communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with other teams
* Hands-on knowledge of install/configure/supervise/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, Active Directory and how SQL Server interacts with Active Director, and 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

How We'll Have Your Back

Ally's compensation program offers market-competitive base pay and pay-for-performance incentives (bonuses) based on achieving personal and company goals. But Ally's total compensation -- or total rewards -- extends beyond your paycheck and is designed to support and enrich your personal and professional life, including:

* Time Away: competitive holiday and flexible paid-time-off, including time off for volunteering and voting.
* Planning for the Future: plan for the near and long term with an industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions, student loan and 529 educational assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, and other financial well-being programs.
* Supporting your Health & Well-being: flexible health and insurance options including dental and vision, pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions and a total well-being program that helps you and your family stay on track physically, socially, emotionally and financially.
* Building a Family: adoption, surrogacy, and fertility support as well as parental and caregiver leave, back-up child and adult/elder day care program and child care discounts.
* Work-Life Integration: other benefits including LifeMatters Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers program and other employee discount programs.

Who We Are

Ally Financial is a customer-centric, leading digital financial services company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions. We are relentlessly focused on "Doing it Right" and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. For more information, visit www.ally.com.

Ally is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic disposition or any other reason protected by law.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical or mental disabilities. For accommodation requests, email us at work@ally.com. Ally will not discriminate against any qualified individual who is capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.