Interactive developer

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We are seeking an interactive developer to join our editorial design team. You will help develop engaging visual journalism to provide best in class experiences of Guardian content and further the Guardian's goal to be the world's most trusted source for high-quality, independent journalism.

The stories you'll work on could span almost any subject. Recent projects include an investigation into Nigel Farage's use of the personalised video platform Cameo, an immersive visual narrative exploring how western intelligence uncovered Vladimir Putin's plans for the invasion of Ukraine, and an engaging experience for readers to browse the 100 best novels of all time. Working alongside journalists, designers and developers, you'll use interactive storytelling to make complex reporting accessible, compelling and memorable for millions of readers.

This is a 12-month NUJ fixed-term contract or internal staff secondment.

About the role

Working as part of the Guardian's editorial design team, design and build new storytelling formats, interactive experiences, and editorial templates across our platforms

Conceiving, experimenting with and building creative prototypes to our storytelling parameters and toolkit

Design and build both one-off editorial experiences and scalable, repeatable formats

Collaborate with editors, designers, reporters, developers and other visual journalists on news and feature projects

Keep abreast of innovations in storytelling, particularly for mobile and emerging platforms

About you

Fluency in front-end web development technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript), experience with modern Javascript frameworks/libraries (e.g. React, Angular, Vue.js) as well as traditional JavaScript libraries (e.g. jQuery, Handlebars)

Solid experience with modern web best practices such as W3C standards, responsive design, progressive enhancement and accessibility

Experience building creative concepts, pages and projects working closely with designers to craft digital experiences

Developing, testing and collaborative problem solving across browsers, apps and devices

Understanding of use cases for modern layout systems such as CSS Flexbox, Grids and Regions, etc

Experience with CSS animations and modern web graphics APIs (SVG, Canvas)

Building rich interactive experiences using JSON over AJAX

Working with a variety of media assets (embedded videos, audio, social media)

Experience using the command line, version control systems (Git) and AWS such as S3

Experience using Figma developer tools and an understanding of designing with Figma

Good eye for design, typography, motion, interaction design, and adherence to design system and brand guidelines

An organised self-starter comfortable working in a fast-paced editorial environment, adhering to tight deadlines

Embraces the Guardian's values - honesty, integrity, courage, fairness, a sense of duty to the reader and the community

Ideally, you'll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role

We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

We operate in a hybrid environment working at least 3 days a week from our offices in Kings Cross.

Job share applications are welcome. If you are keen to apply jointly with someone else as a job share, you should make a single application and combine your application documents.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Many of our staff work flexibly and we will consider all requests for flexible working arrangements.

How to apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you'd love to take on this role, and why you're a great match for what we're looking for. Please ensure you share a link to your portfolio or examples of your work in your cover letter.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. Thank you for bearing with us during the screening process.

The closing date for applications is Monday 20 July 2026.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Arvin Vakilly on arvin.vakilly@theguardian.com to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Benefits at the Guardian

You'll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

We value honesty in your application.

AI generated content must not be presented as your own work. Please review our guidance on the use of AI in your application here.

Job Number

1240

Location

London, United Kingdom

Business Area

Editorial

Employment Type

Full time

Benefits

Holiday

30 days’ annual leave per annum with a holiday purchase scheme (for permanent or fixed-term contract employees based in the UK).

People policies

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees with IVF, menopause, baby loss and trans equality policies.

Learn hub

We invest in the growth and development of our colleagues. Our offering includes programmes, workshops, online resources and specialist training. There are dedicated areas for different departments giving you the resources you need, whatever your role.

Healthcare

We offer private healthcare for you and your family, as well as dental insurance.

Pension

Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5%, we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). You are also entitled to life cover and income protection.