Job title: Lead Front End Web Developer

Salary: £44,711 - £47,754

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House / Hybrid

The Lead Front 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 Front End Web Developer, you will bring to the role:

Expert knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript
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 design and UX skillset to help deliver functional user interfaces and web designs
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 Front End Web Developer, you will ensure that all our on-line presence is user friendly and complies with branding guidelines and accessibility regulations. You’ll 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

Job Description

Job Purpose:

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

Responsibilities:

Line Management and leadership of a team of Front End Developers
Work with Product Owners to refine and prioritise the front‑end product backlog, ensuring technical considerations and user experience are appropriately balanced.
Define and maintain front‑end architectural standards, coding guidelines, and best‑practice patterns across all applications.
Working with product owners and other stakeholders requirements for the creative development of all associated sites, applications and forms.
Lead technical change initiatives, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable, secure and aligned with organisational goals.
Ensure effective delivery of front‑end workstreams, managing risks, dependencies, and priorities within agile delivery teams.
Ensure all front‑end output is responsive, performant, and optimised for multiple devices and assistive technologies.
Creating high profile online material that is up to date with the latest technical design standards that meets the needs of online campaigns. 
Lead technical accessibility reviews (WCAG 2.2 AA), using manual and automated tools, and work collaboratively with accessibility leads to provide actionable remediation guidance.
Stay current with modern front‑end technologies, frameworks, tooling, and accessibility standards.
Carry out duties in accordance with Council Values.
Any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills required

Produce prototype wireframes to present to stakeholders.
Design engaging, responsive websites that adhere to the Public Sector Accessibility Regulations legal requirements.
A clear customer focus through building influential networks, advising and engaging appropriate 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.

Knowledge required

Expert knowledge of HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript/Typescript, PHP, Version Control.
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.

Experience required

Considerable/significant experience of web design / front end development work and developing multiple layouts for different devices e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop – As part of your application, please provide your (or a link to your) 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 and WordPress
Extensive experience with React
Working in a development environment using source control.
Writing clean, accessible code following a progressive enhancement approach.
Dealing with matters of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. 
Producing technical audits of websites.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

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 equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
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.

Managerial Standards Required

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

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills required

CI/CD pipelines
Server architecture and administration

Knowledge required

How software development projects are delivered via AGILE methodology.

Experience required

Applying a user centred design approach.
Experience with Figma.