WordPress CMS and PHP Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full-stack development of custom WordPress sites including themes, plugins, and REST API integrations.
• Architect and maintain PHP-based back-end systems tailored to WordPress applications.

• Execute complex WordPress migrations

   across hosting platforms, staging/production environments, or CMS platforms.

• Implement automated publishing workflows

   from staging to production using CI/CD tools and deployment plugins.

• Optimize WordPress sites for speed, performance, and SEO

  , including:
• Image and asset optimization (WebP, lazy loading, minification)
• Caching strategies (object caching, page caching, CDN)
• Database optimization and query performance tuning
• Reducing render-blocking resources and third-party script bloat

• Improve Core Web Vitals

   (LCP, FID, CLS) and overall

  PageSpeed Insights/GTmetrix

   scores.
• Implement SEO best practices, including semantic HTML, schema markup, proper use of metadata, and accessibility compliance.

• Secure WordPress environments

   by applying server-level hardening, plugin audits, firewall configuration, and SSL enforcement.
• Monitor uptime, performance, and security metrics using industry-standard tools.
• Conduct code reviews and manage Git workflows, ensuring high code quality and maintainability.
• Mentor a team of WordPress developers and guide technical decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (SEO specialists, designers, content teams) to align on business and technical goals.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in WordPress development (custom themes, plugins, integrations).
• Deep knowledge of PHP, MySQL, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (jQuery and/or modern frameworks).
• Proven experience with:

• Page speed optimization and Core Web Vitals

• SEO implementation in WordPress

• Migrations of WordPress sites

• Security best practices

   and WordPress hardening

• CI/CD pipelines

   and deployment automation tools (e.g., GitHub Actions, WP Migrate DB Pro, WP-CFM)
• Experience using tools such as:
• Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, GTmetrix
• WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or similar caching plugins
• Wordfence, Sucuri, or other security plugins
• Rank Math, Yoast SEO, or equivalent
• Familiarity with CDN providers (Cloudflare, Fastly, etc.) and image delivery optimization (e.g., Cloudinary, Imgix).
• Strong understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and semantic web practices.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with headless WordPress or JAMstack (e.g., WP + React/Next.js).
• Understanding of technical SEO audits and site architecture improvements.
• Hands-on experience with containerized environments (e.g., Docker).
• Experience in Agile/Scrum project management environments.