Job Description

Job title: Lead Back End Web Developer


Salary: PO4 GBP44,711 - GBP47,754


Hours: 37


Contract: Permanent


Location: Merrion House / Hybrid


The Lead Back End Web Developer is responsible for guiding a team of developers in delivering robust and scalable digital services across Leeds City Council. Operating within Integrated Digital Services, the role supports the Head of Web & Transactions and collaborates with product owners and stakeholders to ensure the development of accessible, high-performing, and user-focused online platforms. The position involves architectural oversight, technical leadership, and hands-on development, with a strong emphasis on compliance, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.


Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our

council values

and

ambitions

.

About you

As a Lead Back End Web Developer, you will bring to the role:


Expert knowledge of PHP and Drupal, including theme functions and custom module development Proven ability to lead and manage a team of developers, including performance review and motivation Demonstrated success delivering multiple development projects to tight deadlines in a collaborative environment Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, server architecture, and version control using Git Experience building responsive websites that meet Public Sector Accessibility Regulations

About the role

This role offers the opportunity to shape how Leeds City Council delivers digital services to the people of Leeds. As Lead Back End Web Developer, you play a central part in building accessible, secure and high-performing platforms that support everything from essential public services to innovative new tools. You be joining a team that values collaboration and continuous improvement, with the chance to influence technical direction and mentor others. Your work will directly contribute to making council services more efficient, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the city.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:


a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities a range of

staff benefits

to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance

for further advice on completing your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.





This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.


If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the

Skilled Worker visa

route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least GBP38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

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Job purpose

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Working within a multi-disciplinary team and collaboratively across the organisation to inform and enable the delivery of online strategies which result in better customer services and ways of working across the organisation.This position plays a key role in ensuring that all our online presence is available, performant, user friendly and complies with branding guidelines and accessibility regulations.

Responsibilities

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Line Management and leadership of a team of Back End Web Developers Support the Web Product Owner with prioritisation and delivery of the product backlog Providing guidance on, and applying the appropriate methodology, procedures, tools and techniques to all levels ofinternal staff and external stakeholders. Working withproduct owners and other stakeholders~requirementsforthe creative development of all associated sites, applications and forms. Initiating and managing change in an engaging way which mitigates the risks, achieves business goals and sustains improvement. Ensuring the effective progress of initiatives and/or projects as agreed in work programmes, budgets and/or timetables. Responsible for designing and implementing new features and functionality. Establishing and guiding the website architecture. Ensuring high-performance and availability. Managing all technical aspects of the CMS. Work closely with front-end developers and customers to ensure an effective, visually appealing, functional and intuitive implementation. Utilising the latest responsivedevelopment anddesign techniques to ensure all output renders on any device and across multiple screen sizes. Continually develop your knowledge and skills. Carry out duties in accordance with Council Values. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Ability to architect enterprise Drupal solutions including data, display, and information architecture CI/CD pipelines Server architecture and administration Design engaging, responsive websites that adhere to thePublic Sector Accessibility Regulations legal requirements. A clear customer focus through buildinginfluential networks, advising and engagingappropriate stakeholders in decision making processes and delivery. To effectively inform requirement specifications and solution developments. Be able to thrive working collaboratively in a team environment but equally able to work remotely without immediate supervision. Able to offer persuasive professional and creative advice to help inform decisions and deliver projects. To be able to make swift decisions and judgements to influence and instigate changes. To be able to manage risks and competing priorities, being able to adapt to changing circumstances. Ability to communicate effectively, clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally to a variety of audiences. Able to work flexibly from home and occasionally from an office location. Expert knowledge of PHP, PHP files and theme functions, and knowledge of the Drupal theme layer Through understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle and exposure to Agile or iterative SDLCs Strong knowledge of Task runners (Grunt/Gulp/Webpack) and Version Control including Gitflow. Up to date with the latest responsive design and development techniques. An excellent understanding of accessibility regulations, how to apply them and verify the compliance status of other products. Considerable/significant experienceofweb design / front end developmentwork and developing multiple layouts for different devicese.g.smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop As part of your application, please provide your (or a link toyour) work portfolio or GitHub. Working on the delivery of multiple development projects to tight deadlines. A proven record in achieving positive outcomes from work that involves internal and external stakeholders. Experience of using a commercial CMS, specifically Drupal Experience developing web solutions in Drupal and PHP implementations in a LAMP environment Advanced site-building experience including deep familiarity with Drupal modules such as CTools, Views, and Panels Experience creating custom Drupal modules Experience building responsive websites using Drupal CMS, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Working in a development environment using source control. Writing clean, accessible code following a progressive enhancement approach. CI/CD pipelines Server architecture and administration Dealing with matters of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. Producing technical audits of websites. Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others in line with business and IDS priorities. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals. Ability to instil confidence and autonomy within the team providing a freedom to act culture. Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies. Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace

Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours

and codes of conduct Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the

Best City Ambition

of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Creation of complex CI/CD pipelines including regression testing. Expert level Server architecture and administration. Applying a user centred design approach. Experience with Figma. Experience with React. Applying a user centred design approach. Working with PaaS. * Experience using LocalGovDrupal.