Summary
✨ AI‑Generated
A digital agency based in a beachside Sydney suburb is looking for an experienced Lead Digital Designer and Developer to cover a 12-month parental leave contract, with the potential to extend or transition into a permanent role. You will head up the design and development team, manage and upskill designers and developers across two locations, and own the creative and technical standard on all client work. The role is hands-on — one moment running a team check-in, the next designing and building a WordPress backend. Day-to-day responsibilities include mentoring the team, capacity planning, and gatekeeping brand and quality standards. This is not a caretaker role; it is a genuine leadership position with real ownership from day one.
Highlights
Genuine leadership role with real ownership, opportunity to manage and mentor design/dev teams across two countries, hands-on design and build work, fast-growing agency with potential to extend beyond 12 months
Description
We're after an experienced Lead Digital Designer and Developer to cover parental leave and head up our design and dev team in Manly.
You'll manage and upskill our AU and PH designers and developers, own the creative and technical standard on every piece of client work that leaves the building, and still roll your sleeves up to design and build sites yourself.
One minute a team check-in, the next a WordPress backend.
About the 12 months
Full time fixed term contract covering parental leave, ideally starting mid to late October 2026 for an initial 12 month term.
We say initial because we're growing fast, and there's real potential to extend or bring you on in another capacity beyond the 12 months.
Either way it's a genuine leadership role with real ownership from day one, not a caretaker gig keeping the lights on.
The Day to Day
Managing and mentoring our designers and developers, including capacity planning and check-insGatekeeping the OP brand and quality standard across all client outputLeading client website and design projects Designing and building custom websites and landing pages optimised for UX and conversionBuilding better processes and workflows to lift efficiency and keep the team upskillingSupporting and troubleshooting existing client sites
What you'll bring
Experience leading or mentoring a design and/or dev team (desired, but not essential)Strong hands-on design in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, creating not just reviewingSolid front-end skills (HTML5, CSS3/SCSS, JavaScript) and custom PHP templates on WordPressFamiliarity with Shopify, Webflow, Elementor, Bricks and similarThe ability to set and enforce standards across other people's work with clear and constructive feedbackCommunication that moves between technical, creative and client conversations without missing a beat
Bonus points for motion design and After Effects.
Why choose Online Projects?
We're a small, growth-focused agency that works hard, laughs harder, and loves seeing ideas come to life.
We take our work seriously, ourselves not so much.
Real impact: small team, your voice matters, your work moves the needle for clientsManly beachside office: surf, swim or grab a coffee between meetingsCreative freedom: got a better way to do it? We're all ears and want to hear your thoughts.
We invest in you: 1:1 mentorship, workshops and learning budgetsOffice dogs, lunch swims and the occasional after-work drink
Sound like you?
Hit apply with your resume and a portfolio.
Show us projects you've owned, concept to delivery.
We can't wait to chat soon!
