Lead Migration Database Engineer (Remote, United Kingdom)

Job Summary:

JOB DESCRIPTION – Lead Migration Database Engineer

Location: Remote, United Kingdom

Contract Terms: Fulltime, Permanent

THE JOB

Join our database team and become an integral core member of a group supporting the world’s largest ticketing system. We are on a journey to build a set of new generation database tools to build, manage and operate various databases with an “infrastructure as code” mindset. We use various database RDBMS and NoSQL technologies. We support multiple databases platforms - running on both private and public cloud infrastructure - powering the world’s largest ticketing system and serving 170M customers. You will be working on some of the latest database technology, and will have an excellent opportunity to grow your career with a team with a great culture!

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Oracle Database Expert to join our team and spearhead a greenfield migration project. This individual will be responsible for leading the transition of a critical product from legacy databases to Oracle, ensuring a scalable, high-performance, and future-proof architecture. The role requires deep technical expertise in database technologies and extends beyond traditional operations. It demands hands-on expertise in database administration, migration, replication, infrastructure, and application ecosystems, as well as the ability to collaborate closely with application, development, and infrastructure teams across the business. Additionally, the role requires a proactive mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to influence and coach participants throughout the project.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires excellent technical skills, the ability to troubleshoot complex challenges, and a forward-thinking approach to database modernization. While there are no direct line management responsibilities, junior DBAs will support the lead in migration efforts, requiring mentorship and guidance.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Lead the end-to-end database migration project.
• Work closely with application teams to convert database schemas, stored procedures, optimise performance, and implement replication strategies.
• Design and implement efficient data migration processes, ensuring data integrity and performance.
• Influence and define technical solutions and best practices for the migration project.
• Collaborate with engineers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
• Actively contribute to the architecture and strategy of the database landscape.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex data and database issues.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior DBAs assisting in the migration effort.
• Work with Architects to ensure high standards are maintained.
• Lead continuous improvement on the reliability and performance of database platforms.
• Maintain and produce technical documentation.
• Plan and maintain project documentation. 
• Keep leadership up to date on current events within the project. 
• Leverage your understanding of the business and department to identify opportunities for tools and automation, aiming to simplify processes and reduce engineer involvement.
• Provide database expertise to collaborating engineering teams (Database change reviews, database architecture solution, benchmark testing, PoC collaboration, performance tuning, troubleshooting etc.). 
• Implement proactive monitoring and alerting to pre-empt outages.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and best practices.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (or TECHNICAL SKILLS)

• Have experience of leading database migration projects. 
• Strong practical working knowledge and experience on Linux OS.
• Proven years of experience as a Database Administrator (DBA).
• Proven years in a senior technical position driving change and leading others (directly or indirectly)
• Strong expertise in Oracle database administration - installation, configuration, performance tuning, backup/recovery, security and replication.
• Experience with other RDBMS's; SQL Server and/or Sybase preferred and a big plus. Strong expertise in database stored procedures usages. 
• Proficiency in database schema conversion, data mapping, and migration strategies.
• Hands-on experience with replication technologies, active-active or active-passive.
• Ability to self-manage and drive the project forward, rather than waiting for tasks.
• Previous experience in technical leadership or solution architecture is desirable.
• Strong understanding of broader IT infrastructure, networking, etc.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with different teams.
• Flexible with working times to work with other teams globally.

YOU (BEHAVIOURAL SKILLS)

• A highly technical and solution-driven individual who thrives in complex database migration projects.
• Able to influence and set direction for a large-scale migration effort.
• Detail-oriented with a problem-solving mindset.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of working independently.
• A team player who collaborates well with engineers, developers, and business stakeholders.
• Passionate about database technologies, performance optimisation, and automation.
• Have excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Have experience working in a distributed remote environment.
• Have a natural drive to learn new technologies, participate in PoC, and provide the best datastore solutions to meet the business requirement.
• Have a high inclination to document often on acquired knowledge or processes and share them among the team, so that others can also contribute, freeing yourself to work on other projects. 
• Engineering minded and motivated to remove repeated manual tasks with automation.
• Understand and willing to adopt SDLC and Agile best practices. 

WHY JOIN US? 

• Opportunity to lead a high-impact project with major business benefits.
• Work with world leading engineers on the world’s largest ticketing platform.
• Work with cutting-edge Oracle database technologies.
• Be part of a dynamic and collaborative global team.
• Remote working. 

LIFE AT TICKETMASTER

We are proud to be a part of Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest live entertainment company.

Our vision at Ticketmaster is to connect people around the world to the live events they love. As the world’s largest ticket marketplace and the leading global provider of enterprise tools and services for the live entertainment business, we are uniquely positioned to successfully deliver on that vision. 

We do it all with an intense passion for Live and an inspiring and diverse culture driven by accessible leaders, attentive managers, and enthusiastic teams. If you’re passionate about live entertainment like we are, and you want to work at a company dedicated to helping millions of fans experience it, we want to hear from you.

Our work is guided by our values:

Reliability - We understand that fans and clients rely on us to power their live event experiences, and we rely on each other to make it happen.

Teamwork - We believe individual achievement pales in comparison to the level of success that can be achieved by a team

Integrity - We are committed to the highest moral and ethical standards on behalf of the countless partners and stakeholders we represent

Belonging - We are committed to building a culture in which all people can be their authentic selves, have an equal voice and opportunities to thrive

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are passionate and committed to our people and go beyond the rhetoric of diversity and inclusion. You will be working in an inclusive environment and be encouraged to bring your whole self to work. We will do all that we can to help you successfully balance your work and homelife. As a growing business we will encourage you to develop your professional and personal aspirations, enjoy new experiences, and learn from the talented people you will be working with. It's talent that matters to us and we encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities. #LI-JCK #LI-Remote