SQL Server Database Developer

At Sephora, beauty is about feeling seen, valued, and empowered, individually and collectively. It is connecting deeply with others, celebrating diversity and inclusivity, unlocking your potential and making a difference every day. Together, we belong to something beautiful.

Since its inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, Sephora has been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, Sephora continues to break with convention to drive its mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty.

With 56,000 employees in 35 countries, we connect customers and beauty brands within the world’s most passionate beauty community. With a curation of nearly 500 brands, and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of products: fragrances, makeup, hair care, skincare... and much more.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking an experienced SQL Server Database Developer to design, optimise, and support the transactional SQL Server databases that power business-critical applications.

This is a hands-on, application-focused role centred on advanced T-SQL development, query optimisation, and performance tuning, with secondary responsibility for production DBA activities.

The role involves writing T-SQL to support application performance and reliability, collaborating closely with software engineering teams, and supporting production SQL Server environments as needed.

What you’ll be doing…

You’ll design, develop, and optimise high-performance SQL Server solutions, including :

• Designing and optimising database schemas for high-transaction application workloads.
• Developing and tuning complex T-SQL (stored procedures, views, functions, triggers).
• Analysing execution plans and resolving performance bottlenecks, blocking, and deadlocks.
• Optimising indexes, statistics, and query patterns, including ORM-generated SQL.
• Working with XML and JSON data structures within SQL Server.
• Partnering closely with software engineers to support application design, releases, and performance.

This role is open to candidates based in London or remote, based in the UK.

What you'll bring…

You’ll bring strong experience as a SQL Server developer working in production OLTP environments, with the confidence to support core DBA responsibilities when needed.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong experience as a SQL Server Developer in production OLTP environments, with confidence to support core DBA responsibilities when required.
• Expert T-SQL skills with a focus on query optimisation and performance.
• Experience with high-volume, performance-critical application databases.
• Strong understanding of indexing, statistics, Query Store, and DMVs.
• Experience diagnosing SQL Server performance issues across database and OS layers.
• Working knowledge of HA/DR, backup, and recovery strategies.
• Familiarity with Agile delivery, GitHub, Redgate tools, and ORM-generated SQL.
• Experience with SSIS is beneficial but not a core focus.

Here, you will find:

• Community, in which authenticity is embraced, and the strength of our differences fuels our collective spirit
• Culture of empowerment, learning & growth, that offers you the tools, space and opportunity to learn, innovate and lead
• Work that brings fulfillment. From delighting clients every day, to inspiring our industry at large, every action makes a difference

Join us and belong to something beautiful.

At Sephora, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for everyone.