Freemans Grattan Holdings (fgh)

Automation and Batch Scheduling Analyst (Mainframe) 18 month FTC FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ Hybrid flexibility: 2 office days per week About the role The Mainframe Automation & Batch Scheduling Specialist is responsible for developing, maintaining, and supporting automation scripts and batch processing solutions in an IBM z/OS environment. The role focuses on REXX and CLIST scripting, workload scheduling using TWS/OPC, JCL management, and effective use of core IBM utilities to ensure reliable, efficient batch operations. Automation & Scripting Develop, enhance, and maintain REXX scripts for system automation, operational controls, and data manipulation. Create and support CLIST programs to automate ISPF, TSO, and operational tasks. Troubleshoot and optimize existing automation routines for performance and reliability. Workload Scheduling Design, implement, and maintain batch schedules using TWS / OPC (Tivoli Workload Scheduler / Operations Planning and Control). Monitor scheduled jobs, resolve scheduling conflicts, and manage job dependencies. Participate in schedule migrations, upgrades, and production support activities. Batch Processing Write, modify, and review JCL for batch jobs, ensuring adherence to standards and best practices. Diagnose and resolve JCL errors, abends, and performance issues. Support batch cycle execution including daily, weekly, and month end processing. Data & System Utilities Utilize IBM utilities such as IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, and IDCAMS for data set creation, copying, backup, recovery, and maintenance. Perform file management tasks including VSAM operations and dataset housekeeping. Ensure proper documentation and compliance with operational procedures. Support & Collaboration Provide Level 2/3 production support for batch and scheduling related incidents. Collaborate with application developers, operations teams, and infrastructure support. Participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives. Ways of Working Comfortable working in agile, waterfall, or hybrid delivery models Able to manage priorities across reactive support work and planned enhancements Values knowledge sharing, documentation, and collaborative problem solving About you Able to commute to Bradford City Centre minimum of 2 days per week Strong hands on experience with REXX Scripting Proficiency in CLIST Programming Solid expertise in TWS / OPC scheduling In depth knowledge of JCL Practical experience with IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, and IDCAMS Knowledge of CICS Familiarity with z/OS, TSO/ISPF environment Analytical thinking - Able to diagnose complex data and performance issues Attention to detail - High standards for data accuracy and integrity Ownership & accountability - Takes responsibility for systems and outcomes Collaboration - Works effectively across engineering and business teams Continuous improvement mindset - Actively seeks better ways to work and improve platforms Benefits Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme 37 days holiday including bank holidays Healthcare cash plan Competitive pension scheme Life assurance Paid paternity and maternity leave Incredible staff discounts Subsidised canteen

Freemans Grattan Holdings (fgh) is looking for a Database Administrator to manage and optimize the performance of database platforms, primarily Microsoft SQL Server. This role includes responsibilities such as ensuring data integrity, high availability, and implementing backup/recovery strategies. Successful candidates will have strong experience in SQL Server environments, T-SQL skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams. This position offers hybrid flexibility, with 2 office days per week in Bradford.

Database Administrator - SQL Server FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ Hybrid flexibility: 2 office days per week The Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the operational management, performance, resilience, and security of the organisation's database platforms, primarily Microsoft SQL Server, with additional exposure to Oracle and Teradata. The role ensures high availability, disaster recovery, data integrity, and optimal performance of critical systems, including the management of replication, failover, backup, and recovery processes. The DBA leads incident response and recovery where required. Working with engineering and analytics teams, the DBA provides guidance on database design and optimisation and supports data integration and reporting platforms (e.g. SSIS, SSRS). The role will also support the evolution of the data platform, including alignment with Microsoft Fabric. Now is a fantastic time to join our Technology and Digital Team as we embark on an exciting and ambitious transformation programme to modernise our digital capabilities and optimise and enhance our customer journey. Innovation is key as we look for new ideas which will improve the customer experience and our business processes. About the role Database Administration & Support Administer, monitor, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server environments across development, test, and production, ensuring consistency and stability Ensure high availability, resilience, and performance of database platforms, including management of replication, failover (e.g. Always On), and recovery processes Design, implement, and manage backup, restore, and disaster recovery strategies, regularly validating recovery procedures Proactively monitor database health, performance, and capacity, identifying and resolving incidents, bottlenecks, and risks before they impact the business Lead database related incident response and recovery, providing clear ownership during major incidents Plan and execute database patching, upgrades, and configuration changes in line with change and release governance processes Maintain database security, access controls, and compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements Support database migration activities and platform modernisation initiatives, ensuring minimal risk and disruption to business operations. Contribute to the evaluation of future database technologies and architecture options, including alignment with cloud and hybrid data platform strategies Database Performance & Optimisation Review and optimise database performance, including query tuning, indexing strategies, and execution plan analysis Provide guidance and oversight on database object design (e.g. stored procedures, views, functions) to ensure performance, scalability, and maintainability Collaborate with application and engineering teams to promote efficient data access patterns and minimise database contention Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks across database workloads, including blocking, deadlocks, and resource contention Establish and promote best practices for SQL development, database design, and data modelling standards Support performance testing and capacity planning activities to ensure the platform scales effectively ETL, Integration & Reporting Provide platform support for ETL and reporting solutions (e.g. SSIS, SSRS), ensuring reliability, performance, and availability Troubleshoot and resolve issues affecting data pipelines, integrations, and reporting workloads Monitor and optimise database performance related to ETL processes, including scheduling, resource utilisation, and contention Support data quality and reconciliation processes from a database perspective, ensuring integrity and consistency across platforms Collaborate with data engineering and analytics teams to ensure efficient use of database resources and adherence to platform standards Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement Act as a subject matter expert on SQL Server, advising on design and best practice Support incident investigations and root cause analysis. Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing across teams Governance, Security & Compliance Implement appropriate data security controls (roles, permissions, encryption) Support compliance with internal standards and external regulations (e.g. GDPR) Ensure auditability and traceability of data processes where required Ways of Working Comfortable working in agile, waterfall, or hybrid delivery models Able to manage priorities across reactive support work and planned enhancements Focused on continuous improvement, automation, and reliability Values knowledge sharing, documentation, and collaborative problem solving About You Able to commute to Bradford City Centre 2 days per week Strong hands on experience with Microsoft SQL Server in production environments Proven experience administering, monitoring, and supporting SQL Server databases Strong T SQL skills, including performance tuning and query optimisation Experience diagnosing and resolving performance, availability, and data related issues Practical experience implementing and supporting HA/DR solutions (e.g. backup/recovery, replication, failover) Experience supporting SSIS and SSRS platforms from a performance and operational perspective Understanding of ETL and data integration processes (e.g. SSIS) Ability to work effectively with both technical and non technical stakeholder Analytical thinking - Able to diagnose complex data and performance issues Attention to detail - High standards for data accuracy and integrity Ownership & accountability - Takes responsibility for systems and outcomes Customer focus - Understands how data solutions enable good business and customer outcomes Collaboration - Works effectively across engineering and business teams Continuous improvement mindset - Actively seeks better ways to work and improve platforms Benefits We firmly believe that we should reward our brilliant people with extensive benefits to help them stay healthy, relax and re energise, have fun, manage the day to day and plan for the future. Here are just some of our great benefits: Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme 37 days holiday including bank holidays Healthcare cash plan Competitive pension scheme Life assurance Paid paternity and maternity leave Incredible staff discounts Subsidised Canteen