Curriculum vitae

Jim Kirkpatrick

Please contact me if you are interested in hiring me. You may also want to check out my LinkedIn profile.

Personal Profile

I'm a highly experienced web developer specialising in Drupal and all related web and server software. I have 12 years professional web and software development experience including team leader roles and 5 years with Drupal and related technology. I have a proven track record of delivering successful, compelling websites.

I am experienced with the entire software stack from the web and database servers, through server-side code, up to and including client-side technologies. Presently working freelance, I build, maintain, manage and enhance Drupal websites. I also run my own VPS with high-performance Drupal architecture and site provisioning system.

I enjoy consulting and designing solutions to challenging problems using cutting-edge technologies and standards. I aim to always be progressive, personable and enthusiastic, and am proven to deliver innovative sites to clients while being sensitive to their needs, budget and level of technical expertise. I have client and team skills and am able to talk in laymen’s terms or in technical detail with ease.

I am now looking to augment my freelance work and to expand business and career options so I can provide a more consistent income for my growing family.

Work Experience

Senior Drupal Developer, Xyratex Technology Limited, Havant, Hampshire

February 2012 — date

Joined as company had started to use Drupal 7 for many projects and I've just had my 3 contract here extended...

Planned and began development on company-wide intranet including custom module to allow Webforms to be sent and tracked around organisation. Built 'technical configurator' to allow solution specification of complex data storage systems by non-technical staff.

Used/consumed several web services provided by BizTalk and ARAS. Integrated Drupal intranet with Single Sign On solution (OneLogin). Built client extranet/information centre based around Organic Groups and diverse user access models.

Wrote corporate Drupal (plus Git, Acquia cloud, compliance etc.) processes and best practice documents. Interviewed and trained a team of junior developers I led over a dozen projects. Key involvement with web strategy/architecture decisions. Regular presentations and consultation with many departments and levels of Xyratex.

Freelance Web Developer, i-JK Drupal Solutions, Winchester, Hampshire

November 2007 — date

Dozens of Drupal sites created, supported, designed and maintained for many different clients. Bespoke themes and modules developed to meet with the varying needs of each site. I provide support, advice and the option of a complete managed hosting solution to my clients.

I have developed a broad, deep knowledge of the Drupal ecosystem and its related modules, structure and techniques over the years. I have used almost every aspect of the Drupal 6 and 7 APIs and am maintainer of the IP Login module.

Further details of my Drupal projects are available on my Drupal Projects page.

Sabbatical & Volunteering, Dorset & Hampshire

December 2006 — April 2008

I decided to do a little travelling, work on a farm and learn new skills. I used my web and IT skills in a voluntary capacity for local charities and organisations. I started my freelance business during this period.

Senior Web Developer, Matchtech Group, Fareham, Hampshire

December 2002 — November 2006

Originally employed to build and run a website to be integrated with the bespoke recruitment software that ran Matchtech, I was later instrumental in web strategy for the business. The website was later extended to provide services for partners and managed recruitment solutions.

Later I was lead software developer for an ambitious project to re-write the company's recruitment software in VB.Net and create a modern, extensible platform that could handle the needs of a growing, ambitious company. This was a complex and broad system that handled hundreds of thousands of candidates, vacancies, clients and integrated with the website and back office systems. I regularly demonstrated and liaised with members of board and senior recruitment consultants to discuss new ideas and improvements to the software and processes.

I became team leader for the 6 developers working on the website and business software as the project progressed and was completed. My team of developers maintained, enhanced and innovated on the new platform and related projects.

Senior Web Developer, MBA Systems Ltd, Winchester, Hampshire

September 2000 — November 2002

MBA Systems create bespoke solutions for the finance and investments industry. Security and reliability were paramount in this environment, but the user experience was very important.

I built dozens of brochure-style and asset management sites that integrated with MBA's systems. I also designed and built a complete white-label client site able to be easily re-branded. I regularly participated in the release of completed sites from development to the live operations environment using controlled processes.

I was instrumental in steering web development methodology towards a web standards-based approach, separating design from content and improving cross-browser compatibility. I was also lead web developer on a browser-based, real-time share dealing, news and market information system for the London Stock Exchange.

Key Skills & Experience

Education

BSc. Single Honours Media Computing, University of Exeter, Devon

1996 — 2000 Areas studied included: Advanced Information Systems, AI & Software Engineering, Commercial and Industrial Experience, Computer Aided Publishing, Digital Audio, Information Access, Visualisation and Animation. Logic Programming and Prolog, Theory of Computing, Graphics, Database Techniques, Concurrent Programming, Multimedia Production, Design and Method, Artificial Intelligence, Social and Clinical Psychology. Languages learned were C++, Java and SQL, Systems Analysis, Computers and Society

A-Levels, Peter Symonds College, Winchester, Hampshire

1993 — 1996 Computing (A), Chemistry (C), Physics (C)

GCSEs, Perins Community School, Alresford, Hampshire,

1987 — 1993 10 GCSEs, all at grades A to C including Science (AA), Mathematics (A), Statistics (B), English Language (C) and English Literature (C)

Interests

I play a little guitar and grow some of my own fruit and vegetables. I read a lot of non-fiction so I can keep up with current affairs and news about global issues and the economy. I also keep up to date with the world of Drupal developments and best practice, plus related web innovations.

References are available on request, please contact me if you are interested in hiring me.