Senior WordPress Developer with 10+ years building and scaling enterprise WordPress VIP platforms serving 50M+ monthly readers. I’ve delivered 40% faster editorial workflows and zero-downtime migrations through custom plugins, Gutenberg block systems, and performance optimization strategies. I’m known for reducing costs and improving team productivity with scalable, maintainable solutions. Based in Alicante, Spain, I’m authorized to work in the UK and EU and open to remote roles with overlapping UK/EU hours. I enjoy leading frontend and backend work, building robust Gutenberg-based editors, CI/CD pipelines, and automation that keeps editorial teams moving quickly without compromising quality.…

Stephen Mason

PRO
5.0 (4 reviews)

Senior WordPress Developer with 10+ years building and scaling enterprise WordPress VIP platforms serving 50M+ monthly readers. I’ve delivered 40% faster editorial workflows and zero-downtime migrations through custom plugins, Gutenberg block systems, and performance optimization strategies. I’m known for reducing costs and improving team productivity with scalable, maintainable solutions. Based in Alicante, Spain, I’m authorized to work in the UK and EU and open to remote roles with overlapping UK/EU hours. I enjoy leading frontend and backend work, building robust Gutenberg-based editors, CI/CD pipelines, and automation that keeps editorial teams moving quickly without compromising quality.…

Available to hire

Senior WordPress Developer with 10+ years building and scaling enterprise WordPress VIP platforms serving 50M+ monthly readers. I’ve delivered 40% faster editorial workflows and zero-downtime migrations through custom plugins, Gutenberg block systems, and performance optimization strategies. I’m known for reducing costs and improving team productivity with scalable, maintainable solutions.

Based in Alicante, Spain, I’m authorized to work in the UK and EU and open to remote roles with overlapping UK/EU hours. I enjoy leading frontend and backend work, building robust Gutenberg-based editors, CI/CD pipelines, and automation that keeps editorial teams moving quickly without compromising quality.

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Skills

Experience Level

WordPress
Expert
CSS
Expert
Github
Expert
HTML5
Expert
AWS
Expert
MySQL
Expert
PHP
Expert
JavaScript
Expert
WooCommerce
Expert
SEO
Expert
Docker
Expert
PostgreSQL
Expert
Drupal
Expert
MongoDB
Expert
Node.js
Expert
GraphQL
Expert
CodeIgniter
Expert
jQuery
Intermediate
Tailwind
Intermediate
React Native
Intermediate
Laravel
Intermediate
React JS
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior WordPress Engineer at Control Telemetry
June 30, 2025 - August 16, 2025
Developed a custom WordPress editor toolkit featuring over 15 reusable Gutenberg block patterns, empowering content creators to build consistent, on-brand layouts with flexible design controls. Implemented a modular SASS architecture for scalable and maintainable styling across enterprise environments. Leveraged theme.json and block variations to enable user customization of spacing, color, and typography while maintaining WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility and full responsiveness. Collaborated with design and QA teams to standardize front-end patterns, improve accessibility, and streamline editorial workflows — reducing QA review time and improving content delivery efficiency.
Senior WordPress Engineer at News UK / The Times
September 30, 2024 - August 16, 2025
Championed the creation of maintainable and extendable WordPress architecture across 11 enterprise-level sites; built custom themes and plugins resulting in highest code quality scores. Led migration of 11 high-traffic websites from AWS to WordPress VIP with zero downtime. Introduced Gutenberg-based architecture by migrating subscription content from Blockspace to WordPress, streamlining editorial workflows. Engineered WP-CLI tools to scan WordPress VIP for 404s, reducing site-wide errors by 99%. Delivered a scalable REST API for TimesRadio using PHP, enhancing content accessibility and enabling personalized listening for over 500,000 weekly users. Maintained CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment, enforced Git versioning best practices, and ensured consistency through multi-environment testing workflows. Mentored junior developers and drove cross-team knowledge sharing via structured onboarding, code reviews, and collaborative workshops.
WordPress Developer at News UK / The Times
September 1, 2015 - September 29, 2020
WordPress Developer at VCCP
June 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
Delivered bespoke WordPress solutions for agency clients, focusing on flexible content structures and responsive design. Built custom post types and ACF Pro integrations to give editors greater layout control and improve creative agility. Developed a predictive search navigation system that increased user engagement by 15% and integrated real-time news and social media APIs to keep campaign content dynamic and relevant. Collaborated with designers and strategists to deliver visually cohesive, high-performing digital experiences on tight agency timelines.
Director of media at Golley Slater
November 1, 2010 - May 28, 2015
Developed and maintained Drupal CMS platforms for national campaigns and client websites, delivering secure, high-performance digital experiences. Built custom modules, themes, and content structures optimized for SEO and scalability, ensuring long-term maintainability across multiple projects. Redesigned taxonomy and content workflows to improve editorial efficiency and search visibility. Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams in design, marketing, and strategy to ensure every launch met brand, accessibility, and performance standards while staying on schedule and within budget.
Senior WordPress Developer at Control Telemetry
June 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025
Designed and developed a custom WordPress editor toolkit with 15+ reusable Gutenberg block patterns, reducing developer dependency and accelerating content creation. Orchestrated theme.js on global styles and custom block variations to deliver responsive, WCAG 2.1 AA compliant layouts, accelerating QA workflows and shrinking review cycles. Designed a modular SASS architecture to ensure scalable and maintainable styles for enterprise-level WordPress sites.
Senior WordPress Developer at News UK / The Times
September 1, 2024 - October 13, 2025
Directed the zero-downtime migration of 11 high-traffic news sites serving 50M+ monthly readers from AWS to WordPress VIP, achieving 99.99% uptime and reducing hosting costs by 45%. Implemented Gutenberg-based subscription workflow, reducing editorial publishing time by 40% and enabling 100+ daily article updates without developer involvement. Developed WP-CLI automation to identify and fix issues, cutting 404 errors by 99% (from 5,000+ to under 50 per day). Delivered a custom REST API powering TimesRadio, supporting 500,000+ weekly listeners. Implemented CI/CD pipelines and Git workflows to reduce deployment time from 2 hours to 15 minutes, improving developer productivity. Mentored 6 junior developers, improving team velocity and code quality through structured onboarding and peer reviews.
WordPress Developer at News UK / The Times
September 1, 2020 - October 13, 2025
Engineered and maintained custom WordPress themes and plugins for 11 enterprise news sites with top-tier VIP code quality scores. Designed and implemented The Times subscription service for UK, Ireland, and Global markets, enabling users to manage subscription packages and account preferences. Optimized WP_Query and database queries, achieving 3x faster page load times and improved Core Web Vitals.
WordPress Developer at VCCP
August 1, 2015 - October 13, 2025
Developed custom post types with ACF Pro to enhance editorial control and layout flexibility. Engineered a predictive search navigation system, increasing user engagement and click-through rates by 15%. Integrated real-time news and social media APIs, improving content relevance and session duration.
Drupal Developer at Golley Slater
May 1, 2015 - October 13, 2025
Delivered 6+ Drupal projects with custom modules, themes, and optimized content structures for SEO and usability. Restructured taxonomy across 5+ websites to improve editorial efficiency and search visibility. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Education

BA in Politics & Economics at Kingston University
January 11, 2004 - August 16, 2007
Studied historical political systems, economic theory, and their influence on modern governance and global development, developing strong analytical and research skills.

Qualifications

HNC & HND in Computer Science
August 1, 2006 - July 16, 2010
Studied software engineering, database design, and systems architecture, gaining practical experience in programming, networking, and application development.
C++ Certification
January 11, 2007 - August 15, 2008
Completed an intensive one-year course in C++ programming, covering object-oriented principles, data structures, and software development fundamentals.

Industry Experience

Computers & Electronics, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services
    paper Preventing Plugin Chaos: The Satori Digital Plugin Activator
    I have experienced this first hand. A plugin is accidentally activated or de-activated in production and it kills off something. Panick on !! Initially but it just needs manual sorting but it’s production. Not good on a live production site? I think it probably happens far too often, and it’s one of those small mistakes that can lead to big issues in performance, security, or even compliance. I wanted a way to bring infrastructure-as-code principles into WordPress plugin management - a controlled, declarative approach to which plugins should be active, where, and under what conditions. So I built the Satori Digital Plugin Activator - a lightweight MU plugin that reads from a JSON configuration and automatically manages your plugin states. Key Features Automatically activates required plugins Enforces your declared plugin list at runtime, ensuring consistency between environments. Each plugin entry can define version requirements, load order, and whether activation should be deferred. Deactivates anything not listed Keeps production lean and secure by removing any plugins not defined in your JSON configuration - no manual cleanup required. Handles version checks and compatibility rules Validates plugin versions using semantic comparison (e.g. >=2.1.0). - Logs mismatches, prevents activation of unsupported versions, and can deactivate outdated ones automatically. Supports environment-based groups (staging, production, development) Each group can declare its own plugin set and target URL, ensuring the right tools run in the right place - dev tools in staging, performance plugins in production, etc. Integrates with WordPress hooks and settings Allows conditional activation: load plugins only when a specific option is set or a hook fires (e.g., after_setup_theme or init), giving you fine-grained control over when and how plugins load. Has a manual override for those emergencies Sometimes i know there can be the occasion where automatically deactivating those plugins not configured might also cause issues so there’s a manual override that prevents the activator running. Fully compatible with WordPress 6.8+ and PHP 8.3 Built with modern PHP syntax, tested under current WordPress standards, and structured using single-responsibility classes with unit and integration coverage via Pest. Infrastructure-as-Code for WordPress plugins Define, commit, and deploy your plugin states as configuration. No more guessing what’s active - every environment reflects exactly what’s in source control. In short: you define the truth in one config file, and WordPress does the rest. There’s other stuff in there like loading order but not as important as above. You can view or use it here: GitHub Repository - https://www.twine.net/signin pdf webdevelopment php wordpress…
    uniE621 Satori Digital
    Satori Digital is a custom-built website that presents my WordPress development and design services. The site was fully designed and developed using the Gutenberg Site Editor, combining clean design with technical precision to deliver a lightweight, modern, and responsive experience. It’s an active work in progress and serves as a creative playground where I continue to test new design ideas, Gutenberg features, and development techniques. ie I' presently working on a automated plugin activator which is working in background. Design & Development Highlights Built entirely within WordPress Gutenberg, without third-party page builders. Features a custom HTML hexagon section to display services in a distinctive, geometric layout. Includes custom Gutenberg blocks that dynamically render service content while maintaining consistent styling and structure. All typography, color, and layout settings are managed via theme.json and SASS, ensuring global consistency and easy scalability. Implements several custom plugins ie Plugin Activator Optimized for Core Web Vitals, accessibility, and seamless responsiveness across all devices. Enhanced with subtle animations and refined transitions for a smooth, engaging user experience. Purpose The site acts as a professional hub for my WordPress development, plugin creation, theme customization, and performance optimization services, while also serving as a testing ground for exploring modern WordPress capabilities and front-end performance improvements. Tech Stack WordPress (Gutenberg Site Editor) HTML5, CSS3, SASS Custom PHP and JavaScript blocks/ plugins Theme.json global styles Responsive, mobile-first design https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Control Telemetry - Race Winning Connectivity
    Designed and developed a custom WordPress editor toolkit with 15+ reusable Gutenberg block patterns, empowering editors to build rich layouts without developer support. Implemented theme.json global styles and custom block variations for WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility and fully responsive design. Built a modular SASS architecture ensuring scalable, maintainable, and high-performance styling across enterprise-level WordPress platforms. webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Design Samples - Logos, Icons & Visual Elements
    This is a small collection of some of my visual design work created to explore ideas and demonstrate skills in Photoshop and Figma. It includes a mix of logos, a “Why Work With Me” image set, custom icons and a hexagon design delivered using HTML. These pieces are part of a existing projects and represent creative exercises in brand design with focus on layout, typography, and consistency for the business. Tools Used Adobe Photoshop Figma…
    uniE621 Talksport
    Provided ongoing management, support, and debugging for TalkSport.com, ensuring high availability and optimal performance for a major live sports platform. Handled complex WordPress, PHP, and JavaScript issues across custom plugins and themes, implementing fixes and optimizations in real time. Collaborated with editorial and dev teams to resolve critical incidents, enhance stability, and maintain seamless delivery during peak traffic and live event coverage. https://www.twine.net/signin webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 The Times Subscription Servce
    Built a complete subscription service for The Times across three regional sites (UK, Ireland, Global). Delivered a fully custom WordPress theme integrating ACF Pro for flexible content management and tailored user experiences. Developed secure account management, subscription tiers, and payment integration. Implemented optimized front-end architecture for speed, reliability, and seamless performance across devices and markets. https://www.twine.net/signin https://www.twine.net/signin https://www.twine.net/signin webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Michael Page Job Board
    Engineered a complex job board platform for Michael Page using Drupal, featuring advanced search, filtering, and recruiter workflows. Built custom modules, views, and content types to manage thousands of listings and applications. Integrated external APIs for real-time job data, secure user authentication, and analytics tracking. Delivered a scalable, multilingual CMS with a responsive, high-performance front end optimized for both job seekers and employers. https://www.twine.net/signin web-development wordpress php javascript frontend-development backend-development html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Dayvists
    Delivered a full CMS and responsive website for DayVisits using Drupal, enabling easy management of attractions, events, and promotions across the UK. Built custom content types, views, and taxonomies for structured, SEO-friendly data. Implemented a modern, responsive front end for seamless browsing on all devices. Ensured performance, accessibility, and editorial flexibility through scalable architecture and optimized theming. https://www.twine.net/signin webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 The Times Radio API
    Built a custom REST API for Times Radio, powering personalized feeds for 500K+ weekly listeners. The API parsed Gutenberg blocks into JSON, enabling seamless integration across web and mobile apps. Developed with PHP (OOP, SOLID principles) using a modular, single-responsibility architecture with advanced caching and structured logging. Integrated into CI/CD pipelines for zero-downtime releases and fully optimized for scalability, performance, and future extensibility. https://www.twine.net/signin webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Housing Options for Older People ( HOOP )
    Delivered a custom API and CMS for HOOP, an interactive questionnaire helping users in England and Scotland assess how their homes support independent living. Built with PHP (OOP), MySQL, and JSON, the platform generated dynamic, personalized results through structured API endpoints. Designed for scalability, data security, and seamless integration with web and mobile interfaces, ensuring a fast, accessible, and reliable user experience. webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Orchard Driving School
    Designed and developed a modern WordPress site for a driving school, using the new Site Editor (Full Site Editing) to deliver a fully block-based, easy-to-manage experience. Created the complete brand identity, including logo, color palette, and typography, ensuring a cohesive and professional visual presence. Built responsive, accessible layouts with custom block patterns for fast content updates and a smooth, user-friendly interface. webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…
    uniE621 Post Office PAF CMS
    Developed a secure content licensing CMS for the Post Office PAF system, managing large-scale UK address data. Built with PHP, MySQL, and JSON, the platform automated license validation, access control, and data delivery. Designed a modular architecture for easy maintenance, optimized queries for high-volume data performance, and implemented robust audit logging and API endpoints to ensure accuracy, compliance, and scalability across enterprise clients. webdevelopment wordpress php javascript frontenddevelopment backenddevelopment html css api cms responsive accessibility performance git automation…