Senior Wordpress Web Developer

Scratch Ltd; New Zealand; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern offices

Hybrid work

Lunch allowance

Snacks & coffee

Fortnightly massages

Birthday leave

Phone plan

MacBook loan

Dog-friendly office

Job summary

Scratch Ltd is seeking a senior WordPress developer to lead the build of 100% custom WordPress themes and manage a portfolio of around 150 sites. You will craft complex features, implement upgrades, and ensure high-quality performance while communicating clearly with clients by phone and email.

The role emphasizes problem solving, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to maintenance and improvements across the broader tech stack.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building and maintaining custom WordPress themes.
• Experience managing a large portfolio of WordPress websites.
• Proficient in PHP, SQL, JS/SCSS/HTML.
• Experience with Advanced Custom Fields and WooCommerce.
• Experience building and managing API integrations and data feeds.

Responsibilities

• Build custom WordPress themes with a 100% custom approach.
• Deliver improvement and upgrade projects, new layouts, functionality, and performance optimisations.
• Build complex custom functionality for client sites.
• Handle client requests via email and phone.
• Troubleshoot and resolve website errors.
• Monitor day-to-day site activity and investigate issues.
• Perform WordPress maintenance and updates.

Skills

WordPress

PHP

SQL

JavaScript

HTML

SCSS

Advanced Custom Fields

WooCommerce

API integrations

Data feeds

Tools

Gravity Forms

Elementor

WPRocket

Yoast SEO

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

About Scratch

A clever & very capable WordPress website & digital design agency with diverse clientele - ranging from startups & family businesses through to big name brands and not-for-profits.We look after ~150+ WordPress websites - including hosting, maintenance, client support, upgrades & improvements, analytics and more.

The role

This is a new role within the agency due to strong growth.

Overall, this role will hold a high level of responsibility for building custom Wordpress themes and the day to day management of ~150 WordPress websites. In this role, you will be:

• Building custom Wordpress themes. We don't use templates or theme builders - all our websites are 100% custom built, hand-crafted, with a high level of refinement and attention to detail

• Delivering improvement & upgrade projects - building new layouts, new functionality, optimising site performance etc

• Building complex custom functionality

• Handling technical client requests, including client communication via email & phone

• Troubleshooting & problem solving - debugging & resolving website errors

• Looking after day to day website monitoring - review alerts, investigate possible issues etc.

• Executing WordPress maintenance & updates

• Working across our wider technical infrastructure e.g. Cloudflare, API connections, DNS, CPanel, Mailchimp, Zapier, transactional emails, forms, AWS, Google Cloud, Google Tag Manager & GA4, Google Search Console etc.

About you

• You’re a skilled problem solver - you don’t shy away from a challenge, and you naturally ask “why?”, following problems through to their root cause

• You have exceptional attention to detail - you understand that small errors can have big impacts, and that most issues are found in the edge cases

• You’re well organised and able to juggle multiple tasks & priorities with ease. Inbox zero is normal for you

• You’re a confident communicator - able to communicate over email in a professional, jargon-free, friendly tone and not afraid to pick up the phone when needed

• You believe in fixing things "properly" - "fix it once, fix it properly, fix it everywhere"

• You’ll appreciate being part of a culture where we always aim to exceed client expectations, and strive for constant improvement

Must haves

• 7+ years experience building and working with custom WordPress themes. A deep knowledge & understanding of WordPress is required, and non-negotiable

• This must include experience building & improving WordPress themes as well as the day to day management and overseeing of a large portfolio of WordPress websites

• PHP, SQL, JS/SCSS/HTML - expert level proficiency

• Experience with Advanced Custom Fields & WooCommerce

• Experience building & managing API integrations & data feeds

Nice to haves

• Experience working with well known plugins such as Gravity Forms, Elementor, WPRocket, Yoast SEO etc

• Technical SEO knowledge

• Exposure to digital marketing & analytics platforms such as Google Tag Manager, GA4, Google Search Console, Google Ads, Facebook ads

• Website adjacent tools & software e.g. Zapier, CRM systems etc

Benefits

• Modern offices in central location

• Flexible working - WFH up to 1-2 days per week

• Lunch shouts

• Office snacks, drinks & barista coffee

• Fortnightly massages, if you're keen

• A day off for your birthday

• Mobile phone plan with supplied or BYO device

• Macbook full use

• Dog friendly office