CMS tech lead

Speed & Function; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term projects

Autonomy and ownership

Commission tied to project profits

Learning & coaching

Job summary

Speed & Function is seeking a senior CMS developer to own architecture and delivery for CMS projects. You’ll collaborate with project leads and US-based clients, driving impactful results in a remote-first, async-friendly environment.

Expect short feedback loops and real business impact as you shape technical direction across WordPress, Drupal, and modern frameworks. You’ll work across multiple projects, advise on technology, and mentor junior developers, while maintaining focus on business

Qualifications

• 7+ years in CMS development, with strong production WordPress and/or Drupal.
• Direct experience with international clients; partnership, not vendor compliance.
• English at least C1; clear, pleasant spoken communication.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned CMS projects end-to-end.
• Work across multiple projects in parallel.
• Advise clients on technology and trade-offs.
• Translate business needs into technical options.
• Collaborate across disciplines and viewpoints.
• Learn new frameworks as needed and contribute to CMS practice.
• Support junior developers through craft.
• Contribute beyond project scope with ideas and initiative.

Skills

CMS development

Client-facing engagement

English communication

Tools

WordPress

Drupal

Strapi

React

Next.js

Docker

AWS (basic)

SEO & Analytics

AI-assisted development

MongoDB

MySQL/MariaDB

Laravel

Symfony

Job description

We’re looking for someone who’s good at what they do - and who’s starting to find that being good isn’t the most interesting part anymore.

You’ll own the technical direction of assigned CMS projects, working directly with project leads and US-based clients. The work is real: short feedback loops, actual business impact, people depending on what you build. We think that’s where the most meaningful growth happens.

This is not a management title. It’s a role for someone who can hold their own convictions clearly enough to act — and loosely enough to revise them when the situation asks for it.

What You’ll Do

Own assigned CMS projects end-to-end

Work across multiple projects in parallel

Advise clients on technology - recommend what’s right for them, not what you’re most comfortable with

Translate business needs into clear technical options and trade-offs

Collaborate across disciplines; hold productive tension when perspectives differ

Learn new frameworks as projects require; contribute to the broader CMS practice

Pick up complex and simple tasks alike

Support junior developers through craft, not management

Contribute beyond project scope — ideas, improvements, initiative

Who You Are

7+ years in CMS development, strong production WordPress and/or Drupal

Direct experience with international clients - partnership, not vendor compliance

English C1+, clear and pleasant spoken communication without a strong accent

Technology-agnostic - your preferences don’t override the project’s needs

Comfortable in ambiguity; energized by shifting context

Entrepreneurial mindset - you treat each project like a business you’re invested in

Proactive without being pushy

Able to juggle multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders

Willing to start with small steps

Who This Role Probably Isn’t For

We want to be honest about fit - clarity is more respectful than vagueness.

This role may not work well if you need fully defined requirements before you begin thinking, if shifting context drains you rather than energizes you, or if you tend to advocate for your preferred technology stack regardless of what the project calls for.

It’s also probably not the right fit if direct feedback feels like personal criticism rather than useful information. We practice open, respectful communication - we name what we observe, share what we need, and assume good intent. That only works when everyone is willing to hear things they didn’t expect.

None of these are flaws. They’re preferences. But they’d make this environment frustrating rather than enjoyable, and we’d rather be upfront.

Technical Skills

Required:

WordPress, Drupal, Strapi

React, Next.js

Docker, AWS (basic)

SEO, Google Analytics, GTM, Core Web Vitals

Hands‑on experience with AI‑assisted software development, including the use of AI coding tools in day‑to‑day development workflows.

Performance optimization, data migration

MongoDB, MySQL/MariaDB

Laravel and/or Symfony

Work Format

Flexible workload, with the possibility of starting part‑time and gradually increasing hours based on project needs and availability. Details to be discussed during the interview.

Remote‑first, async‑friendly

US Eastern Time focus - availability expected between 12:00–20:00 CET

Multiple projects in parallel, not a single dedicated assignment

What We Offer

• At least 2 active long‑term projects with gradual, methodical onboarding
• A team that genuinely enjoys working together — serious about the work, light with each other
• Commission structure tied to project profitability. Your growth and the business growth aren’t separate things
• High autonomy. We treat you as an adult — with the freedom and responsibility that comes with that
• Benefits program, internal learning, coaching, English lessons, and therapy compensation after trial period

About Speed & Function

Software development company focused on long‑term partnerships, not transactional outsourcing. Since 2006, building digital products and teams with a strong emphasis on trust, ownership, and collaboration.