WordPress Developer / Integration Specialist
- Experience in Higher Education is Mandatory
Remote / Hybrid (Based on Business Needs) - Chicago, IL
Contract Opportunity
Overview
This is not a WordPress Administrator, Content Editor, or basic Website Developer role.
The client is looking for a Senior WordPress Developer with strong experience building and maintaining enterprise-scale WordPress platforms, including custom theme development, component-based architecture, API integrations, accessibility compliance, and performance optimization.
The ideal candidate should be capable of designing scalable WordPress solutions rather than simply maintaining existing websites. Candidates should realistically match 90%+ of the requirements below.
What the Client is Really Looking For
The client needs a developer who can own the complete WordPress development lifecycle—from front-end architecture and custom development to enterprise integrations, accessibility compliance, performance optimization, and multi-site scalability.
This role requires close collaboration with:
- Marketing & Communications
- UI/UX Designers
- IT Teams
- Enterprise Application Teams
Key Focus Areas
Enterprise WordPress Development
- Design and develop custom WordPress themes
- Build reusable WordPress components and templates
- Develop custom plugins
- Support enterprise multi-site WordPress environments
- Maintain scalable and standards-driven WordPress architecture
Front-End Development
Strong hands-on experience with:
- HTML5
- CSS3
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Responsive web design
- Component-based development
Ability to convert Figma designs and wireframes into reusable, responsive WordPress components.
WordPress Architecture & Integrations
Experience integrating WordPress with:
- REST APIs
- CRM platforms
- Marketing automation tools
- Enterprise applications
- JSON/XML data formats
Experience using:
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
- Custom content models
- API integrations
Accessibility & Web Standards
Strong knowledge of:
- WCAG 2.1 AA / 2.2 AA compliance
- Semantic HTML
- Keyboard navigation
- Screen reader compatibility
- Color contrast standards
- Accessible web development best practices
Performance Optimization
Experience optimizing:
- Core Web Vitals
- Page speed
- Mobile responsiveness
- WordPress caching
- Performance tuning
- Security best practices
DevOps & Code Management
Hands-on experience with:
- GitHub
- Version control
- Code reviews
- Deployment processes
- QA and release management
- SDLC and change management practices
Multi-Site & Hosting
Experience supporting:
- WordPress Multi-site
- Multi-brand implementations
- Hosting platforms such as Pantheon (or equivalent)
- Environment management
- Platform stability and uptime
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of WordPress development experience
- Strong experience with:
- WordPress theme development
- Custom plugin development
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Experience with:
- REST APIs
- JSON/XML
- GitHub
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
- Strong understanding of:
- SEO best practices
- Website architecture
- Responsive design
- Accessibility standards
- Experience troubleshooting WordPress performance, plugin conflicts, and security issues
- Ability to manage multiple projects independently
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with WordPress Multi-site environments
- Experience in Higher Education or large enterprise organizations
- Experience with Pantheon or similar managed WordPress hosting platforms
- Familiarity with headless or hybrid WordPress architectures
Ideal Candidate Profile
The strongest candidates will have:
- Enterprise WordPress development experience
- Custom theme and plugin development expertise
- Strong front-end engineering skills
- Experience integrating WordPress with enterprise systems
- Deep understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG)
- Performance optimization and SEO expertise
- Experience supporting large, multi-site WordPress environments
Candidates Who Are Unlikely to Fit
❌ WordPress Content Editors or Site Administrators
❌ Developers focused only on page builders (Elementor, WPBakery, Divi, etc.)
❌ Front-End Developers with little or no WordPress customization experience
❌ Candidates without custom PHP, API integration, or plugin development experience
❌ Developers whose experience is limited to maintaining small business or personal websites
Technical Skills
- WordPress
- PHP
- HTML5
- CSS3
- JavaScript
- REST APIs
- JSON / XML
- GitHub
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
- Figma
- SEO
- WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 Accessibility
- Pantheon (preferred)
- Multi-site WordPress
- SDLC & Release Management
Pay: From $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60617
