Lead Web Developer (Headless WordPress & React)

SB Media Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital media company is seeking a Lead Web Developer to design a high-performance site using Decoupled Architecture. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in React and Next.js, developing sites that deliver quick, interactive content tailored for a global audience. This role requires a robust understanding of WordPress as a headless CMS, alongside skills in performance optimization and team leadership for junior developers. Join us in redefining the digital experience at our fast-paced, innovative firm.

Qualifications

• Expert-level knowledge of React.js and Next.js or similar frameworks.
• Deep understanding of WordPress as a headless CMS.
• Proficiency in modern CSS frameworks for high-end animations.

Responsibilities

• Architect and maintain a decoupled environment using WordPress and React.
• Optimize site performance for Google Search rankings.
• Build custom interactive components with modern JavaScript.

Skills

React.js

Next.js

WordPress

Tailwind CSS

Redux

PHP

Job description

Location: UK, Ideally London or Manchester

Company: SB Media Group (SupercarBlondie.com and SBXcars.com)

We are looking for a Lead Web Developer to spearhead the next generation of the Supercar Blondie digital experience. We are moving toward a Decoupled (Headless) Architecture, separating our WordPress content engine from a high-performance frontend.

As the Lead Developer, you will bridge the gap between our rich media content and a cutting-edge user experience. You will be responsible for building a site that is as fast, sleek, and high-performance as the supercars we feature, ensuring that global audiences get an instant, premium experience on any device.

What will you be doing…

• Headless Architecture: Architect and maintain a decoupled environment using WordPress (REST API/GraphQL) as the backend and React/Next.js as the frontend.

• Performance Engineering: Optimize for "Core Web Vitals" to ensure the site remains at the top of Google Search rankings and loads instantly for viral traffic.

• Scalability: Work with modern deployment platforms (like Vercel, Netlify, or AWS) to manage high-concurrency events during major car launches.

• Interactive UI: Build custom, high-end interactive components (interactive car galleries, auction timers, etc.) using modern JavaScript frameworks.

• Security & API Integrity: Ensure secure data flow between the WordPress CMS and the frontend, implementing robust caching strategies.

• Team Leadership: Guide the transition from traditional WordPress themes to a modern JavaScript-based stack, mentoring junior developers along the way.

What have you done before…

• Expert-level knowledge of React.js and Next.js (or similar frameworks like Gatsby/Nuxt).

• WordPress Expertise: Deep understanding of WordPress as a headless CMS, including custom post types, WPGraphQL, or the REST API.

• Modern CSS: Proficiency in Tailwind CSS, Styled Components, or Framer Motion for high-end animations.

• State Management: Experience with Redux, Context API, or SWR/React Query for data fetching.

• DevOps & Deployment: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Edge Functions, and CDN optimization (Cloudflare).

• Backend Knowledge: Solid understanding of PHP (for WordPress customization) and Node.js.

The Ideal Candidate

• You have a portfolio of high-traffic, visually stunning websites.

• You understand that for a media brand, SEO and Speed are everything.

• You are excited by the challenge of "breaking" traditional WordPress to build something faster and more flexible.