Lead Front End Developer

Lead Front End Developer

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 trend

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.