Looking for a Sage 9 WordPress Developer (Freelance/Contract)

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Hi Sage developers,

I work for a leading Canadian digital platform and independent publisher dedicated to showcasing exhibitions, events, and a wide range of opportunities within the arts community.

Our website uses a custom WordPress theme based on Sage (version 9), and we are looking for an experienced developer who can provide top quality support and help us address some ongoing issues.

Since the website is business-critical, the focus of the work will be to stabilize the platform and mitigate immediate risks, repair functionality, and make some practical improvements. We are also in the process of planning a rebuild of our website & systems with a modular approach, so this work may involve some preparation for an eventual migration. Depending on the platform(s) we choose and overall fit, there may also be opportunities for longer-term involvement in the future website development.

Note: Ideally, we are looking for a developer in Ontario to simplify communications, payments, etc. However, other locations will definitely be considered—especially in Canada or within the Eastern Time zone (UTC-4h / UTC-5h).

A summary of our requirements:

Scope of Work

Phase 1 – Immediate Stabilization and Repairs:

Critical Tasks

  • Audit the current Sage-based theme, codebase, and dependencies to identify risk areas.
  • Assess and implement approved PHP version upgrade on our web host.
  • Review, update, and test all plugins as appropriate.
  • Audit and resolve JavaScript bugs and conflicts.
  • Assess website security and apply agreed-upon updates.

Major Fixes

  • Diagnose and resolve image loading issues related to SSL certificate configuration.
  • Review and update Google Analytics implementation.
  • Fix broken date filters on the Listings page (Jobs, Calls, Learning).
  • Restore missing “Additional Venues” information on Listing pages.
  • Restore missing contact information (email, phone) on Venue pages.
  • Prevent sublistings from appearing in search engine results.

Phase 2 – Visual & Functional Updates, and Planning for Platform Transition:

Improvements (To Be Scoped Collaboratively)

  • Clean up CSS and unify styles, fonts, and layout across the site.
  • Adjust tile layout (image/text formatting, length limits).
  • Expand number of postings shown on the homepage.
  • Improve display ad placement and control.
  • Enhance date formatting in tiles and filters.
  • Adjust listings functionality (multiple venues, category edits).
  • Remove “Receptions” category from Listings filters.
  • Explore solutions for email template switching in WP Admin.
  • Clean and organize data for postings and venues in preparation for migration.
  • Contribute to strategic planning for future platform transition.

Who We’re Looking For

Ideal Candidates Will Bring:

  • Extensive experience with custom WordPress development using the Sage Starter Theme (version 9+).
  • Advanced proficiency in PHP 7.3+ and Laravel Blade templating.
  • Strong familiarity with Composer, Webpack, Yarn/npm, and Git-based workflows.
  • Proficiency in front-end tools: CSS, SASS, Bootstrap 4, and JavaScript.
  • Deep knowledge of Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), FacetWP, and API integrations (e.g., Mailchimp).
  • Solid understanding of WordPress security and performance optimization.
  • Confidence working in and improving legacy codebases without introducing regressions.

Professional Qualities:

  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Clear communication and responsive collaboration.
  • Ability to work independently and document changes thoroughly.
  • Familiarity with arts and culture sector clients is a plus.

How to Express Interest in Working with Us

Please send the following to [email protected]:

  1. Brief Introduction – Tell us about yourself or your studio and your approach to WordPress development.
  2. Relevant Projects – Links or summaries of 2–3 comparable projects, especially those involving Sage or custom theme development.
  3. Availability – Let us know your capacity and typical turnaround times.
  4. Fee Structure – Hourly and/or project-based rates.
  5. Preliminary Recommendations – Optional: share any observations or suggestions based on our project description.

Timeline: We plan to begin this work by early August 2025.

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