At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of creative WordPress websites and enhance client relationships.
- Company: Join a tight-knit creative agency in Leigh-on-Sea with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that celebrates creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make an impact by blending creativity and technology in exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in WordPress, Elementor, and front-end development required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 42000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid 3 days in Leigh-on-Sea studio, 2 days remote
Salary: £38,000 - £42,000 per annum DOE
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
About the Role
We’re looking for a technically capable and creatively minded Lead Front End Developer to support and evolve the studio’s growing web offering. You’ll work closely with our director, creatives, and digital team to deliver impactful WordPress websites that balance creativity, performance, and long-term client growth. This role is ideal for someone who’s confident taking website concepts from Figma through to polished launch-ready builds, whilst supporting the ongoing evolution of websites through SEO, performance optimisation, and technical improvements. Alongside development, you’ll contribute to client relationships, digital problem solving, website management, and the wider growth of the studio’s digital capabilities. We’re looking for someone proactive, collaborative, and commercially aware who enjoys being part of a creative agency environment rather than purely technical delivery.
About the Studio
We’re a tight-knit creative agency based in Leigh-on-Sea, blending strategy, design, and digital to deliver work we’re genuinely proud of. It’s a collaborative, down-to-earth studio where ideas are shared, wins are celebrated, and everyone genuinely supports each other. Expect plenty of creativity and a team that works closely together to make things happen. We believe in balance, flexibility, and giving people the space to do their best work.
Key Responsibilities
- Website Development: Build responsive WordPress websites primarily within Elementor, alongside custom themes and performance-led front-end approaches, taking concepts from Figma through to polished launch-ready builds that balance creativity, usability, speed, and SEO best practices.
- Technical Development: Support advanced front-end functionality including ACF integration, WooCommerce functionality, custom PHP functions, custom theme integrations, and third-party platform integrations.
- Website Growth & SEO: Work alongside the digital team to continually evolve websites for SEO performance, AI search visibility, speed optimisation, landing page creation, and ongoing website growth.
- Website & Hosting Management: Support the management of hosting platforms, DNS records, plugin management, website updates, backups, staging environments, and the wider studio web portfolio.
- Client Relationships: Build trust across the studio portfolio, support client conversations, identify opportunities for website improvements, and contribute to long-term client growth.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with internal creatives, digital specialists, and external partners to ensure high-quality project delivery across the studio.
- Pitching & Onboarding: Support new business activity from meetings and pitch preparation through to onboarding and early-stage project delivery.
- Studio Support: Contribute to studio-wide planning, technical problem solving, project prioritisation, and the continued evolution of the studio’s digital offering.
Knowledge and Experience
Strong Experience Required In:
- WordPress and Elementor development
- ACF and dynamic content structures
- WooCommerce
- Custom PHP functions
- CSS and SASS
- Website optimisation and technical SEO
- Third-party integrations including SMTP, Turnstile, reCAPTCHA, Google Maps, and API-based tools
- Hosting environments and DNS management
- Custom theme integrations
- Responsive development and cross-device optimisation
Advantageous Skills:
- Wireframing and Designing websites in Figma
- Building custom Elementor widgets
- Git version control
- MySQL databases
- JavaScript
- Figma asset exporting and image optimisation workflows
- Experience working within a creative agency environment
- Understanding of evolving SEO and AI search trends
What You’ll Get
- £38k - £42k salary DOE
- Flexible working (3 days studio, 2 days remote)
- A tight-knit and creative agency environment in Leigh-on-Sea
- The chance to work on websites for a range of exciting clients
- Autonomy and ownership, with senior leadership support
- Opportunity to grow your influence within the agency
- Exposure across strategy, creative, web, SEO, and digital growth projects
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Swan Creative, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Lead Front End Developer in Colchester employer: Swan Creative
Swan Creative is an exceptional employer located in Leigh-on-Sea, offering a vibrant and collaborative studio environment where creativity thrives. With flexible working arrangements and a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of exciting projects while receiving support from senior leadership. Join a tight-knit team that celebrates wins and fosters innovation, making it a rewarding place to develop your career as a Lead Front End Developer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Front End Developer in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, or join online communities. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Lead Front End Developer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that involve WordPress and Elementor. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing – just like the websites you’ll be building!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to companies you admire. A friendly email expressing your interest can go a long way. Plus, applying through our website shows you’re serious about joining the team!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects and how you can contribute to the studio’s growth. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Front End Developer in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with WordPress and Elementor. We want to see how you've taken concepts from Figma to launch-ready builds, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Creative:Since we're a creative agency, let your personality shine through in your application. Use a friendly tone and maybe even sprinkle in some of your creative flair to show us why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swan Creative
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your WordPress and Elementor skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with ACF, WooCommerce, and custom PHP functions. They’ll want to see that you can take concepts from Figma to a polished launch, so be prepared to share specific examples of your past projects.
✨Show Off Your Creative Side
This role is all about balancing creativity with technical skills. Bring along a portfolio that showcases your best work, especially any responsive websites you've built. Talk about how you’ve integrated SEO and performance optimisation into your projects, as this will demonstrate your understanding of the bigger picture.
✨Be Ready for Teamwork Questions
Since collaboration is key in this studio, think of examples where you’ve worked closely with creatives or digital teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve contributed to client relationships and problem-solving in a team setting. They’ll want to know you can fit into their tight-knit environment.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the studio’s projects and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Inquire about their approach to website growth and how they stay ahead in SEO trends.
