Position
React/Next.js Developer
Location
Bournemouth (Hybrid working available)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5.00pm (flexi-time available)
Salary
Competitive, based on experience
Role Description
We are looking for a highly skilled React / Next.js Developer with strong experience in headless and composable CMS architectures to support solution design, frontend engineering, and knowledge transfer to our in-house team. This role sits at the heart of Appius — a digital agency with over 25 years of history — delivering modern digital platforms for an established client portfolio across multiple sectors. You will architect, develop, and maintain high-performing frontend solutions using React, Next.js, and modern JavaScript frameworks. You’ll work closely with our Solutions Architect and Experience Team to interpret specifications, wireframes, and designs into sophisticated, component-driven digital ecosystems. This is a critical role that bridges technical implementation and delivery — ensuring best-practice frontend engineering, scalable design systems, and seamless integration with composable content and experience platforms such as Sitecore, Sitefinity, Optimizely, and Umbraco.
Core Responsibilities
Frontend Engineering
- Develop high-quality websites and interactive digital experiences using React and Next.js.
- Create reusable, scalable component libraries and design-system-driven UI structures.
- Implement modern rendering strategies including SSR, SSG, ISR, and API routes within Next.js.
- Ensure solutions are optimised for performance, accessibility, and SEO.
- Contribute to long-term experience layer architecture across multiple client ecosystems.
Headless CMS & Composable Integration
- Integrate frontend applications with headless CMS platforms.
- Translate functional specifications into structured content models and API-driven architectures.
- Collaborate with backend developers to define data structures, endpoints, and integration pathways.
- Configure content workflows and map CMS entities to frontend components.
- Support composable ecosystem patterns including search, experimentation, personalisation, and multi-platform orchestration where relevant.
Essential
Required Skills & Experience
- Strong commercial experience with React, Next.js, and TypeScript.
- Deep understanding of modern JavaScript, frontend tooling, and component-based architectures.
- Experience building experience layers for Headless CMS and composable digital platforms.
- Understanding of Next.js rendering strategies including SSR, SSG, ISR, hydration, and App Router patterns.
- Proficient in HTML5, CSS3, SCSS, and responsive UI development.
- Experience consuming REST and GraphQL APIs and integrating CMS-managed content structures.
- Cross-browser and cross-device development expertise.
- Strong focus on frontend performance, accessibility, SEO, and maintainability.
- Experience mentoring teams and helping shape Experience Engineering standards and delivery practices.
Desirable
- Experience with Sitecore, Optimizely, Sitefinity, Umbraco, or similar API-first CMS platforms.
- Experience building design-system-aligned component libraries (e.g. design tokens, reusable UI frameworks).
- Familiarity with modern testing approaches (e.g., Playwright, Cypress, component testing).
- Familiarity with composable architecture patterns beyond CMS, such as:
- Search and discovery services
- Personalisation and experimentation platforms
- Multi-system experience orchestration
- Experience with deployment environments.
Personal Attributes
- Strong communicator able to work closely with designers, architects, and client teams.
- Problem-solver who can identify technical solutions even in ambiguous scenarios.
- Collaborative and people-first mindset with a desire to share knowledge and support the wider team.
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality, consistency, and maintainability.
- Comfortable contributing not just code, but architectural thinking and delivery rhythm.
Training & Development
We Invest Heavily In Professional Development, Including Access To
- Technology partner training
- Online developer courses
- Opportunities for certification in composable CMS platforms and React ecosystem tools
Benefits
- Full training given to progress in this role
- Flexi-time and hybrid working options
- Health care scheme with gym membership discounts
- Pension Scheme
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Invitation to join our annual summer team day and Christmas Party, plus a range of social events throughout the year
- In-office fruit, drinks and snacks always available
- Bournemouth based office within THIS Workspace www.thiswork.space — 5 mins from the amazing beaches
Apply now
#J-18808-Ljbffr