Digital Designer & Developer
Physical location of position
Johannesburg or Cape Town
Type
Full-time, Hybrid, or Freelance (with potential for long-term engagement)
Position of reporting manager:
Project Manager
Works closely with:
Designer/Developer, Sales Strategist, Project ManagerPurpose of the job :
We’re looking for a hybrid Digital Designer & Developer who can confidently own the end-to-end process of building beautiful, high-converting websites using WordPress. This role blends strong visual design ability with technical proficiency, ideal for someone who loves creating websites that look great, perform fast, and deliver results.You’ll also support the creative team by producing engaging display assets, such as banners and videos, for use in digital advertising campaigns.
You’ll work alongside a Project Manager, Strategist, and Content Specialist to bring website projects to life – from Figma designs to staging sites. You must be as comfortable building from a brief as you are collaborating in a creative sprint.
This role suits someone who’s excited to be part of a scaling creative team and who embraces innovation – especially through AI tools and emerging design-tech workflows – to work smarter, deliver faster, and build better.
This role is central to SearchKings Africa’s creative transformation, and offers space for growth, innovation, and real impact.
Job Responsibilities:
Website Development Responsibilities:
- Develop and construct fully responsive websites optimized for conversions, primarily utilizing the WordPress platform.
- Translate wireframes and design mockups into functional websites, and possess the ability to create original designs when necessary.
- Guarantee that all website builds adhere to established SEO and performance best practices, encompassing aspects such as loading speed, accessibility standards, and the correct implementation of heading tags.
- Establish staging environments for development and play an active role in the website launch process.
Quality Control and Testing Procedures:
- Conduct comprehensive testing across various web browsers and devices to ensure consistent functionality and display.
- Work closely with the Project Manager to verify that every website build successfully meets and surpasses quality assurance criteria.
- Integrate and configure web analytics tools, including Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Tag Manager (GTM), and Microsoft Clarity, as required for tracking and analysis purposes.
Design Support Activities:
- Design engaging display advertisements in various formats (banners and videos), create visually appealing newsletter layouts, and produce other marketing collateral as needed.
- Provide support in the creation of templated marketing materials for both internal organizational campaigns and client-facing marketing initiatives.
Quality Control & Testing:
- Perform thorough cross-browser and device testing
- Collaborate with Project Manager to ensure every build passes QA
- Implement GA4, GTM, and Microsoft Clarity tracking where required
Design Support:
- Create display ad designs (banners and videos), newsletter layouts, and marketing collateral as needed
- Support templated collateral creation for internal or client marketing campaigns
Job Responsibilities:
Website Development Responsibilities:
- Develop and construct fully responsive websites optimized for conversions, primarily utilizing the WordPress platform.
- Translate wireframes and design mockups into functional websites, and possess the ability to create original designs when necessary.
- Guarantee that all website builds adhere to established SEO and performance best practices, encompassing aspects such as loading speed, accessibility standards, and the correct implementation of heading tags.
- Establish staging environments for development and play an active role in the website launch process.
Quality Control and Testing Procedures:
- Conduct comprehensive testing across various web browsers and devices to ensure consistent functionality and display.
- Work closely with the Project Manager to verify that every website build successfully meets and surpasses quality assurance criteria.
- Integrate and configure web analytics tools, including Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Tag Manager (GTM), and Microsoft Clarity, as required for tracking and analysis purposes.
Design Support Activities:
- Design engaging display advertisements in various formats (banners and videos), create visually appealing newsletter layouts, and produce other marketing collateral as needed.
- Provide support in the creation of templated marketing materials for both internal organizational campaigns and client-facing marketing initiatives.
Required Skills and Experience
Must-Haves:
- 2–4 years experience in WordPress website design and development
- Proficiency in WordPress, Figma, Adobe
- Strong grasp of UX/UI principles, mobile-first design, and CRO best practices
- Ability to balance aesthetics with functionality
- Understanding of SEO basics (page structure, meta fields, alt tags)
- Familiarity with GA4, GTM, and website speed testing tools
- Eye for detail and high standards for final delivery
- Familiar with performance tools like PageSpeed Insights, GTMetrix, etc.
Nice-to-Haves:
- Familiarity with CSS and basic HTML (bonus for JS understanding)
- Experience building newsletters or email templates
- Understanding of hosting basics (e.g., caching, SSL, staging vs. live)
What Makes You Perfect for the Role
- Seeking: A problem-solver passionate about building efficient, good-looking, mobile-centric, and conversion-optimized websites.
- A self-starter who takes initiative and thrives on responsibility.
- Curious and proactive, always looking to leverage new tools, AI innovations, and smarter workflows.
- Highly organized and deadline-driven.
- Comfortable working directly with PMs, strategists, or clients to clarify briefs.
- Passionate about great design, good UX, and efficient workflows.
