Lead Web Developer
Job description
About the role
Waystone is looking for an experienced Lead Web Developer to join their growing team based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. This role centres on guiding web development efforts across projects, setting technical direction, and mentoring a team of developers to deliver high-quality digital products. The Lead Web Developer will work closely with cross-functional teams to design, build, and maintain web applications that meet both business objectives and user needs. As a senior technical presence, this person will shape development practices, enforce quality standards, and contribute to strategic decisions about technology and platform direction within the organisation.
Key facts
What you'll do
Lead and mentor a team of web developers, providing guidance on best practices and helping each team member grow their technical skills and career.
Design and build scalable, maintainable web applications using modern development frameworks, architectural patterns, and industry-standard coding conventions.
Collaborate closely with designers, product managers, and business stakeholders to translate project requirements into clear technical plans and actionable development roadmaps.
Conduct thorough code reviews and enforce coding standards across the team to ensure consistency, readability, and long-term maintainability of the codebase.
Architect both front-end and back-end solutions that meet demanding performance benchmarks, security requirements, and accessibility standards for all users.
Identify and resolve technical blockers and challenges that could otherwise delay project timelines or compromise the quality of delivered software.
Drive the adoption of modern best practices in version control, automated testing, continuous integration, and deployment pipelines across all development work.
Participate actively in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to keep teams aligned and projects on track.
Evaluate emerging tools, libraries, and technologies that could improve development efficiency, reduce technical debt, and enhance the overall developer experience.
Communicate technical progress, architectural decisions, and risk assessments clearly to non-technical team members, project stakeholders, and senior leadership.
Ensure that all documentation, including technical specifications and architectural diagrams, remains accurate, up to date, and accessible to the wider team.
Requirements
Demonstrated experience leading web development teams or serving in a senior technical leadership role within a software development environment.
Strong proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, complemented by deep knowledge of at least one modern front-end framework.
Proven track record of building and maintaining responsive, accessible, and user-friendly web interfaces that perform well across devices and browsers.
Solid familiarity with back-end technologies such as Node.js, Python, or equivalent server-side languages and frameworks.
Thorough understanding of database design principles, RESTful API development, and server-side rendering or static site generation concepts.
Hands-on knowledge of version control systems, continuous integration and delivery pipelines, and automated testing methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate across multiple workstreams, and deliver work within agreed timelines and budgets.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with both technical engineers and non-technical business stakeholders.
Nice to have
Experience working with cloud hosting platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform in a production setting.
Familiarity with containerisation technologies like Docker and container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes for managing deployment environments.
Background in agile or Scrum methodologies, ideally with formal certification or significant hands-on experience in iterative development.
Exposure to web performance optimisation techniques and accessibility standards including WCAG guidelines for inclusive design.
Knowledge of content management systems and headless architecture patterns that support flexible content delivery across multiple channels.
Skills & tools
HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript frameworks for building responsive and interactive front-end user interfaces.
Back-end programming languages and frameworks for constructing server-side applications, APIs, and microservices architectures.
Relational and non-relational database management systems for storing, querying, and managing application data efficiently.
Version control platforms and branching strategies for tracking changes, managing code reviews, and enabling team collaboration.
Testing frameworks and automation tools covering unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end regression testing suites.
Project management and team communication platforms used for planning, tracking progress, and coordinating across distributed teams.
Practical notes
This role is based in the Leeds, West Yorkshire office and requires a full-time commitment with standard working hours.
Candidates should be comfortable working within a structured team environment while also taking ownership of individual deliverables and responsibilities.
The hiring process includes technical assessments, coding exercises, and a series of interviews with the engineering leadership team at Waystone.
Waystone is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and actively encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
The position offers the opportunity to work on diverse projects spanning multiple industries, providing broad exposure to different technical challenges and business domains.