Location
United States
Job Type
full-time
Salary
Unknown
Posted
March 6, 2026

Job Description

The Publisher Desk helps you build your audience and grow your revenue.
Empowering sports, lifestyle & business media brands to connect with their audience and value-aligned advertisers.
The Publisher Desk is seeking an experienced, motivated and resourceful Front End Developer to join our team.  Help us to build efficient, beautiful and responsive media/news focused websites.
 
Responsibilities:
Code new WordPress themes, page templates, and plugins from scratch and modify existing themes and plugins 
Build efficient, testable, and reusable php modules including dynamic content and personalization features
Provide front-end development of digital marketing communications, including full websites and micro-sites, landing pages, emails, and other initiatives
Develop, test and troubleshoot across multiple browsers, platforms and devices, including tablets and smartphones, to support a consistent and positive customer experience
Provide guidance on SEO best practices for site development
Research and recommend new technologies and tools for effective integration across various platforms
Additionally, you must understand user experience and be able to build media websites that are easy to understand, navigate, use, and adhere to design standards and specifications. 
You should be be able to design layouts for mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.  
Create wireframes or mockups for web pages and applications. 
Establishing design guidelines, standards, and best practices.
 
We are always exploring new and innovative projects & ideas, giving you a great place to grow your career.
 
Requirements:
 
5 years of experience as a web developer
Strong working knowledge of the Wordpress Gutenberg editor, especially the creation and maintenance of custom blocks for unique site needs.
Experience creating and integrating custom wordpress plugins, themes, working with Wordpress hooks and filters
Experience creating websites for a mobile-first strategy
Strong knowledge of PHP web frameworks
Strong knowledge of common PHP or web server exploits and their solutions
Experience with limitations of PHP as a platform and its workarounds
Knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, Sass, JavaScript, jQuery, and responsive frameworks (Foundation, Bootstrap)
Experience with online usability, accessibility, and web analytics
Experience with development languages (Java or Python)
Experience integrating or working with ad serving technologies (prebid, DFPP)
Experience with software versioning and revision control systems (Git required)
WordPress experience
Good understanding of search engine optimization and core web vitals principles.
Proficient understanding of cross-browser compatibility issues.
Creative and open to new ideas.
Excellent communication skills.

🎯 Who is this job for?

This role is ideal for a Senior Frontend / WordPress Developer with around 5+ years of experience building WordPress themes, plugins, and custom Gutenberg blocks using PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS/Sass. It suits someone comfortable developing responsive, media-focused websites, optimizing SEO and Core Web Vitals, and integrating ad technologies and analytics. You should be able to own UI implementation end-to-end—from wireframes to production—while ensuring cross-browser compatibility, performance, and maintainable code.

πŸ’¬ Potential Interview Questions

  1. How would you build a custom WordPress theme optimized for performance and maintainability?
    I would create a modular theme structure using reusable template parts, follow WordPress coding standards, and minimize unnecessary dependencies. I’d also optimize assets, use proper caching strategies, and ensure clean integration with Gutenberg blocks.

  2. What is your approach to developing custom Gutenberg blocks?
    I create blocks using modern JavaScript (often React-based block APIs), define clear attributes, and ensure they support reusable content structures. I also design them to remain compatible with the WordPress editor experience and theme styles.

  3. How do you develop secure WordPress plugins that integrate with existing themes and systems?
    I use WordPress hooks and filters to extend functionality without modifying core code, sanitize and validate all inputs, and protect against common vulnerabilities like XSS and SQL injection.

  4. How do you ensure responsive design across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices?
    I follow a mobile-first approach using flexible layouts with CSS Grid/Flexbox and responsive breakpoints. Testing across devices and browsers ensures consistent user experience.

  5. What strategies do you use to optimize WordPress sites for SEO and Core Web Vitals?
    I minimize render-blocking resources, optimize images and scripts, implement proper semantic HTML structure, and ensure fast server response times. I also collaborate with SEO teams to structure content and metadata correctly.

  6. How do you troubleshoot cross-browser compatibility issues?
    I test across major browsers and devices using tools like BrowserStack and analyze differences in CSS or JavaScript behavior. Polyfills or fallback solutions are applied when necessary.

  7. How would you integrate advertising technologies like Prebid or Google Ad Manager (DFP) into a media website?
    I implement ad scripts asynchronously, configure header bidding integrations, and ensure ads load efficiently without blocking page rendering. Performance monitoring helps maintain user experience.

  8. How do you maintain clean and reusable front-end code in WordPress projects?
    I structure CSS using Sass with clear naming conventions, create reusable components, and separate logic from presentation. Version control and code reviews ensure consistency across the team.

  9. What is your approach to building dynamic or personalized content features in PHP?
    I create modular PHP functions and use WordPress APIs to fetch and display dynamic content efficiently. Caching strategies help maintain performance under heavy traffic.

  10. How do you collaborate with designers and stakeholders to translate wireframes into functional websites?
    I review wireframes early to identify technical considerations, build reusable UI components aligned with the design system, and maintain clear communication throughout development to ensure the final product matches design intent.

πŸ“‹ Job Summary

The Publisher Desk is a media technology company helping sports, lifestyle, and business publishers grow their audiences and revenue through high-performing digital platforms. We’re hiring a Front End Developer to build responsive, media-focused websites using WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, and modern frontend tools, including custom Gutenberg blocks, themes, and plugins. You’ll work on full websites, landing pages, and marketing experiences while ensuring strong UX, SEO performance, and cross-device compatibility. Join a creative team where you’ll help shape engaging publishing platforms and explore innovative projects that support the growth of modern digital media brands.

Required Skills

PHP JavaScript HTML5

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