Senior Database Administrator

At American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, we think of ourselves as The Financial Dignity Company. Our policyholders work with independent agents, banks and broker-dealers through our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, to choose one of our leading annuity products best suited for their personal needs to create financial dignity in retirement. We remain steadfast in our commitment to quality products, excellent customer service, integrity, safety and delivering on our promises to our policyholders. Our success comes from hiring people who embody the beliefs that drive our unique, energetic, fast-paced and caring culture of collaboration, ownership and innovation.

We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years, with satellite offices slated to open in early 2023 in Charlotte, NC, and New York, NY. We are a NYSE-listed company and maintain an "excellent" rating from AM Best. Our company has over $57 billion in assets, 26,000 active agents and over 800 employees.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Senior Database Administrator provides operational database administration across multiple database platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Takes the lead on incoming projects and tasks as well as leading other team members as needed to ensure the on-time completion of the projects and tasks
• Creates requirements, scope and estimates for database projects.
• Part of an on-call rotation.
• Develops and maintains new or existing database systems.
• Supports and assists Developers with SSIS packages.
• Writes and maintains documentation on databases and processes.
• Builds DBMS instances and creates databases.
• Troubleshoots system issues.
• Performs and tests DBMS Server upgrades.
• Installs DBMS Server patch releases.
• Performs system upgrades prior to systems EOL.
• Manages, monitors and maintains company databases.
• Performance tunes queries and tables.
• Monitors database backups and implements database security.
• Develops and optimizes physical design of database systems.
• Manages users and user group access to objects in Informatica repositories.
• Manages Informatica platform global/local security levels.
• Automates administrative tasks.
• Ensures proper configuration of the Informatica components.
• Contributes to technical and system architectural planning.
• Provides status reports on all completed, on-going and future projects in order to keep management updated on progress.
• Interfaces with outside vendors.
• Assists Developers with DBMS code issues as needed.
• Continue to develop and maintain systems used for database monitoring and alerting.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: NA

Direct Reports: 0

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): 0

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or other related field of study; plus, a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

• Five (5) years SQL Server database experience required.
• Three (3) years performance tuning and optimization required.
• Experience working with Azure SQL is preferred.
• Experience working with AWS is a plus.
• Experience working with PostgreSQL preferred.
• Experience administering an Informatica platform domain a plus.

Experience working in Insurance and/or Investments industry preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques associated with administration of database systems.
• Outstanding customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups.
• Exhibits professionalism in all situations.
• Ability to adapt to change, delays and unexpected events.
• Mathematical skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational, planning skills and attention to details.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions on practical problems that deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists in a timely manner.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Takes initiative and follows through with work.
• Ability to work cooperatively and successfully with employees, customers, and other outside third parties.
• Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Minimal to no travel is required in this position.
• Occasional on-call availability required.