WordPress Development Lead (Remote, Chicago)

Blacksmith Agency LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Blacksmith Agency seeks a senior WordPress Development Lead to drive end-to-end custom WordPress projects. You will scope builds to client objectives, lead themes, templates, plugins and blocks, and communicate directly with clients in fluent English.

You will leverage AI to streamline workflows while maintaining high-quality code. This is a remote, full-time, client-facing leadership role for someone who writes and reviews real code.

Qualifications

• Senior, client-facing WordPress lead with ability to scope builds to business goals.
• Fluency in English required for client communication.
• Proficiency in WordPress, PHP and front-end technologies.

Responsibilities

• Scope client work against business objectives and set the build approach.
• Lead custom WordPress builds: themes, templates, plugins and blocks.
• Drive efficiency with AI across the development process.
• Be the development voice the client hears, and keep their sites healthy.

Skills

WordPress

PHP

HTML

CSS

JavaScript

AI in development

Client communication

English fluency

Job description

• Remote (USA, Canada, Latin America or South Africa)

Blacksmith Agency

• Engineering
• Full time
• Remote (USA, Canada, Latin America or South Africa)

About The Role

Blacksmith Agency builds high-performance custom websites for clients across the US. As WordPress Development Lead at Blacksmith, you lead custom WordPress work end to end. You are the face of development for your clients. You scope the build, understand the client's business objectives and tie the work back to them, drive efficiencies with AI, and lead builds that are fast, clean and custom. You still write and review real code. This is a senior, client-facing lead for a strong developer who can also talk to clients. Excellent English required.

What You Will Own

• Scope client work against business objectives and set the build approach.
• Lead custom WordPress builds: themes, templates, plugins and blocks.
• Drive efficiency with AI across the development process.
• Be the development voice the client hears, and keep their sites healthy.

What You Bring

• Strong custom WordPress and PHP, plus modern HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• The ability to scope work and tie it to a client's business goals.
• Real fluency using AI to drive development efficiency.
• Client-facing communication and excellent English.
• Experience leading or owning builds, not just closing tickets.