Lead WordPress & Web Infrastructure Developer

This is a senior, hands-on role requiring a blend of front-end development, back-end engineering, infrastructure management and technical leadership. You will be responsible for designing and building new websites, improving existing platforms, implementing best practices, and ensuring our entire web ecosystem is secure, fast and reliable.

We're looking for someone who not only has WordPress expertise but also brings fresh ideas, embraces modern technologies and AI-assisted workflows, and can confidently recommend improvements that will benefit the business for years to come.

Project Objectives

During the contract period, the successful candidate will:

• Lead the redevelopment and launch of approximately 8-10 websites across the business.
• Establish a scalable WordPress infrastructure and development framework.
• Improve website performance, reliability, security and SEO foundations.
• Standardise hosting, deployment and maintenance processes.
• Implement modern development workflows and automation where appropriate.
• Support future growth by creating a robust, flexible and maintainable web platform.

Do you have experience in WordPress?, Essential Technical Skills

• Minimum 5 years' commercial experience developing and managing WordPress websites.
• Expert knowledge of WordPress core, template hierarchy, theme architecture and plugin development.
• Strong proficiency in PHP, MySQL, HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.
• Experience building custom WordPress themes and functionality.
• Strong understanding of Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), custom post types and custom plugin development.
• Experience working with modern page builders and WordPress development frameworks.
• Strong understanding of responsive design, accessibility and cross-browser compatibility.
• Experience integrating third-party APIs, CRMs, marketing platforms and external systems.
• Experience with the WordPress REST API (both consuming external JSON feeds and creating custom, secure endpoints for server-to-server data syncing)
• Proficiency with Git version control and modern deployment workflows.
• Proficient experience with database architecture, specifically decoupling or sharing user tables across multiple isolated WordPress databases.
• Experience working with SurveyJS or complex multi-stage front-end form validation, processing data into custom database schemas outside of standard WordPress meta tables.

Infrastructure & Hosting

• Strong experience managing production hosting environments for business-critical websites.
• Proven experience implementing Cloud Object Storage.
• Experience configuring Nginx reverse proxies, server blocks, and URL routing rules to map custom paths on a single domain to distinct application roots. Strong knowledge of DNS, SSL certificates, domain management, redirects and hosting environments (Preferred not essential).
• Experience with website monitoring, logging, backups, disaster recovery and incident management.
• Understanding of security hardening, vulnerability management and website protection best practices.

Performance & Optimisation

• Experience improving website performance, Core Web Vitals and technical SEO.
• Strong knowledge of caching technologies including object caching, page caching and CDN implementation.
• Ability to identify and resolve application, database and server performance bottlenecks.
• Experience conducting technical audits and implementing performance improvements.

Design & User Experience

• Good understanding of digital design principles including layout, typography, branding and user experience.
• Ability to transform designs into high-quality, responsive web experiences.

AI & Modern Development Workflows

• Demonstrable experience using AI tools to improve development efficiency, productivity and delivery quality.
• Comfortable incorporating AI-assisted coding, design, testing and content workflows while maintaining accountability and technical judgement.

Personal Skills

• Excellent problem-solving and diagnostic abilities.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical delivery.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Positive, proactive attitude and a desire to continuously improve systems and processes.
• Ability to mentor, support and guide other developers and team members.
• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering quality work.

Pulled from the full job description

• Casual dress
• Work from home
• Company events
• On-site parking

Barcadia Media is seeking an experienced Lead WordPress & Web Infrastructure Developer to lead a major website transformation project across the business and its many brands. Over the next 12 months, you will take ownership of the architecture, development, hosting, performance and security of approximately 8-10 websites, helping us create a scalable and future-proof digital platform that supports our long-term growth plans., We are a thriving publishing, marketing, and events business operating from a custom-designed office in sunny Blackpool. Our team produces award-winning industry events, conferences, and educational programmes for the UK's financial services sector. We also manage a growing portfolio of small businesses under our parent company, meaning your role will be varied, challenging and full of opportunity.