Lead Developer (Remote, UK)

About the role

Join Newsquest Digital Media, the digital arm of a leading UK local‑media publisher, as a Lead Developer. You will shape the technical direction of a portfolio of over 200 high‑traffic news sites, working fully remotely from anywhere in the UK.

Key responsibilities

• Act as Technical Lead within a development squad, guiding design and delivery of new features.
• Collaborate with Product Managers and UX Designers to refine requirements and propose well‑architected solutions.
• Develop and maintain scalable, high‑quality software using PHP and related technologies.
• Mentor and support fellow developers, promoting coding standards and best practices.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and ensure alignment with the wider platform strategy.
• Deliver end‑to‑end solutions across front‑end and back‑end systems.
• Champion agile ways of working and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain code quality, performance and reliability using Git/GitHub.

Required profile

• At least 3 years of full‑stack development experience, preferably in a lead or senior role.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross‑functional teams.
• Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline (optional).
• Experience in an Agile environment is desirable.
• Familiarity with modern JavaScript frameworks such as Vue.js is a plus.
• Understanding of web design principles and modern web technologies is advantageous.

Required skills

• PHP and design‑pattern knowledge.
• SQL databases (MySQL) and NoSQL stores (Elasticsearch, Redis).
• Version control with Git and GitHub.
• Exposure to Vue.js (optional).

What we offer

• Fully remote working within the UK.
• Competitive salary £50,000‑£55,000 per year.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Opportunities to influence a large digital journalism estate.