What were your first impressions of Moriyama and the team?

Everyone was incredibly welcoming and approachable from the outset. There’s a strong sense of collaboration, and it was clear early on that knowledge-sharing, mutual support, and a genuine desire to do things well are core parts of the culture. It felt like a place where people care about both the work and the people they work with.

How has your understanding of your role as Lead Umbraco Developer evolved over the past six months?

Now that I’m more settled into the role, I’ve come to see that being a Lead Umbraco Developer at Moriyama is about more than just delivering code. It’s also about contributing to the bigger picture—whether that’s mentoring others, defining technical direction, or collaborating on process improvements. It’s a balance of hands-on development, leadership, and long-term thinking.

What’s been the most rewarding project or challenge so far?

When I joined, I was eager to get stuck in as soon as possible, and I made it clear that I was happy to be thrown into project work straight away. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of projects, each with its own unique challenges. If I had to pick one, "Project Pink" stands out. It’s been both technically challenging and creatively rewarding, offering a chance to push myself and contribute meaningfully to something high-profile and complex.

Jordan, Thuy and Aaron at the Cohaesus Group Winter Party, January 2025

Jordan and Cohaesus Group friends at the Winter Party, January 2025

How have you found working remotely at Moriyama?

Moriyama's handling of remote work has been smooth and well-supported. There’s a strong culture of trust and flexibility, and the team puts real effort into keeping communication clear and inclusive. It never feels like you’re out of the loop—collaboration still happens naturally, just virtually.

What helps you feel connected to the wider team, even from a distance?

Regular check-ins, casual catch-ups, and open communication channels like Teams make a big difference. There’s always someone around to bounce ideas off or just have a quick chat with. That informal interaction really helps maintain a sense of connection and team spirit.

Do any of the in-person meetups stand out as highlights?

Absolutely. The in-person meetups are always a highlight. They strike a nice balance between being productive and relaxed, and they offer a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and put faces to names. It’s clear that people genuinely enjoy spending time together, which says a lot about the team culture.

What’s something you’ve learned since joining that you didn’t expect?

One unexpected takeaway has been how much influence we have as a team on shaping internal processes and standards. The openness to feedback and improvement is refreshing, and it’s made me more aware of how much impact we can have beyond just the code we write.

Have there been opportunities to develop your skills or shape your own direction?

Definitely. There’s a lot of autonomy and trust here, which gives you room to grow. I’ve had the chance to propose new technical approaches, help define coding standards, explore new tooling, and support other developers through mentoring. That level of freedom makes the role both fulfilling and forward-looking.

How would you describe the team culture?

The culture is supportive, respectful, and open. There’s a shared desire to do things well and a genuine interest in helping one another improve. It’s a space where everyone brings something to the table, and people are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and challenge things constructively. The bar is high, but the environment is encouraging.

What does being part of an Umbraco Platinum Contributing Partner mean to you?

It’s something to be proud of. It demonstrates our commitment to the Umbraco community and shows that we’re not just using the CMS—we’re helping shape its future. It also gives our clients confidence that they’re working with a team that’s deeply invested in the platform and stays up to date with best practices and changes.

What are you excited about for the next six months?

I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibility in client strategy and project planning. I’m also excited to keep pushing for high standards in our development work and exploring ways to improve how we deliver solutions. There’s a lot of momentum, and I’m keen to help build on that.

Jordan with Easter treats

There’s a lot of autonomy and trust here, which gives you room to grow. That level of freedom makes the role both fulfilling and forward-looking.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone joining Moriyama, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to get involved and share your ideas from day one. It’s a team that really values initiative and fresh perspectives, and your voice will be heard. There’s a lot of trust placed in individuals here, and that makes it a great place to make an impact early on.

Want to learn more about careers at Moriyama? Get in touch today!