At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of creative and high-performance WordPress websites.
- 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 working on exciting projects and evolving digital capabilities.
- Qualifications: Experience in WordPress, Elementor, and a passion for creative problem-solving.
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 are looking for a technically capable and creatively minded Lead Front End Developer to support and evolve the studio's growing web offering. You will 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 is 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 will contribute to client relationships, digital problem solving, website management, and the wider growth of the studio's digital capabilities. We are 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 are a tight-knit creative agency based in Leigh-on-Sea, blending strategy, design, and digital to deliver work we are genuinely proud of. It is 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
- 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
Lead Front End Developer in Essex employer: Swan Creative
Join our vibrant creative agency in Leigh-on-Sea as a Lead Front End Developer, where you'll thrive in a collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working, competitive salary, and the opportunity to work on exciting projects that enhance your skills and career growth. With a supportive team culture that celebrates successes and encourages personal development, this is an excellent place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Front End Developer in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, workshops, or even online webinars. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that align with what we do at StudySmarter. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out! If you see a role that excites you, apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email. A little persistence can go a long way in landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and practising common questions. Think about how your experience aligns with our needs at StudySmarter, and be ready to share specific examples of your work.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Front End Developer in Essex
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:This is a creative agency, so let your personality shine through in your application! Use a friendly tone and maybe even include a fun project you’ve worked on that showcases your creativity and technical skills.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to our studio's vibe. Mention how you can contribute to client relationships and team collaboration, as we value proactive and commercially aware individuals who thrive in a collaborative environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
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 launch-ready builds, so be prepared to share specific examples of your past projects.
✨Showcase Your Creative Side
This role is all about balancing creativity with technical skills. Bring along a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any projects where you’ve integrated SEO and performance optimisation. Talk about how you’ve contributed to client relationships and how your creative solutions have led to successful outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Teamwork Questions
Since collaboration is key in this studio, expect questions about how you work with others. Think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with creatives and digital specialists. Highlight your proactive approach and how you’ve contributed to a positive team environment in previous roles.
✨Understand Their Studio Culture
Familiarise yourself with the studio’s values and culture. They’re looking for someone who fits into their tight-knit, down-to-earth environment. Be ready to discuss why you’re excited about working in a creative agency and how you can contribute to their collaborative spirit and ongoing growth.
