JavaScript (UI) Developer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: JavaScript (UI) Developer Company: Code First Girls (in partnership with Barclays) Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: Software Development / User Interface (UI) Development Date Posted: 2025-09-24T00:00:00 Experience Level: Mid-Level (1.5+ years experience required, with a focus on developing towards a mid-level role) Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in the office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is part of a unique 16-week, part-time training program designed to upskill individuals into a Mid-Level JavaScript Developer position at Barclays, with a job offer contingent on successful completion of the program and a technical assessment.
• The position focuses on designing and implementing user-centric digital products and experiences, translating business requirements into intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
• Successful candidates will leverage modern front-end technologies such as React, JavaScript, TypeScript, and CSS to build innovative and secure solutions within an Agile and DevOps-oriented environment.
• The program aims to foster T-shaped skill development, technical leadership capabilities, and expertise in building inclusive products, preparing individuals for senior individual contributor or technical management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "JavaScript (UI) Developer," the description emphasizes a pathway from existing experience (Software or Data Engineering with Python, Java, or JavaScript) into a mid-level role. The "Code First Girls" aspect signifies a structured learning and development component. The core operations focus is on the process of developing and deploying software, managing user experience, and the operational efficiency of the development lifecycle, rather than traditional Revenue or Sales Operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and implement user-centric digital products and user experiences, ensuring alignment with customer needs and business objectives.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers, and analysts to translate functional and technical requirements into compelling user interfaces and seamless user journeys.
• Develop prototypes and wireframes to visualize user flows and interaction designs, facilitating stakeholder feedback and iterative design improvements.
• Apply user research and usability testing methodologies to gather insights and drive continuous improvement in product design and functionality.
• Utilize core technologies including React, JavaScript, TypeScript, and CSS to build, test, and deploy high-quality, secure, and performant web applications.
• Participate actively in Agile development processes, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, to ensure timely delivery of features.
• Contribute to the adoption of DevOps practices and cloud deployment strategies to enhance development workflow efficiency and product scalability.
• Champion the development of inclusive products by integrating accessibility and diversity considerations throughout the software development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are standard for a UI Developer role but are framed within a development program context. The emphasis on "translating requirements," "user experiences," "prototypes," "user research," and "testing" highlights the operational aspects of product development and user satisfaction. "Agile," "DevOps," and "cloud deployment" are key operational methodologies in software delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field is beneficial. Demonstrated proficiency through projects or prior experience is key.

Experience:

• A minimum of 1.5 years of experience in a technology-focused role, such as Software Engineering, Data Engineering (with Python), or JavaScript development.
• Proven ability to successfully complete a 16-week, part-time training course focused on developing mid-level technical skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to career progression within a technical domain.
• Availability to commence employment with Barclays upon successful completion of the training program.

Required Skills:

• JavaScript: Strong proficiency in core JavaScript language features and modern ECMAScript standards.
• UI Development: Solid understanding of front-end development principles, including responsive design and cross-browser compatibility.
• React: Experience with the React JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
• TypeScript: Familiarity with TypeScript for enhanced JavaScript development.
• CSS: Proficiency in CSS for styling and layout, including preprocessors or frameworks.
• Technical Assessment: Ability to pass a technical assessment specifically in JavaScript.
• Agile Methodologies: Understanding and experience working within Agile development frameworks.

Preferred Skills:

• DevOps Practices: Familiarity with DevOps principles and CI/CD pipelines.
• Automation: Experience with automation tools and scripting.
• User Research & Testing: Knowledge of user research methodologies and usability testing.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Experience creating prototypes and wireframes.
• Technical Leadership: Aptitude for mentoring, teamwork, and stakeholder communication.
• Cloud Deployment: Basic understanding of cloud deployment concepts.
• Inclusive Design: Awareness of developing products with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements are structured to identify candidates with existing technical foundations who are eager to specialize and advance. The emphasis on a JavaScript technical assessment and prior experience in related fields is crucial. The "T-shaped skill set" and "Technical Leadership" are indicators of expected growth and operational contribution beyond individual coding tasks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Code Samples: Provide access to a GitHub repository or similar platform showcasing personal or professional JavaScript projects, demonstrating clean code, efficient logic, and best practices.
• Project Demonstrations: Be prepared to walk through 1-2 key projects that highlight your UI development skills, problem-solving approach, and understanding of user experience principles.
• Technical Problem-Solving: Include examples or case studies that illustrate how you approached and solved complex technical challenges in previous roles or personal projects.
• Collaboration Evidence: If possible, showcase examples of collaborative work, such as contributions to open-source projects or team-based development, highlighting your ability to integrate with development teams.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate understanding of how requirements are translated into actionable development tasks and how a typical UI development workflow is structured from conception to deployment.
• Implementation & Optimization: Be ready to discuss how you approach implementing features efficiently and optimizing code for performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Measurement & Analysis: While less direct for UI roles, be prepared to discuss how user feedback, analytics, or A/B testing (if applicable) informs design decisions and contributes to product success metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a traditional "Operations Portfolio" isn't standard for UI Developers, the expectation leans towards demonstrating technical proficiency and process adherence through code, project examples, and the ability to articulate development methodologies. The focus is on the process of building and refining user interfaces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: A specific salary range is not provided, but for a Mid-Level JavaScript Developer role in Glasgow, Scotland, with hybrid working, a typical annual salary would likely fall between £35,000 - £50,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the UK, considering the mid-level experience requirement and the partnership with a major financial institution like Barclays.

Benefits:

• Company Pension: Contributing pension scheme to support long-term financial planning.
• Parental Leave: Generous 26 weeks of full pay for the primary caregiver, promoting work-life balance and family support.
• Life Insurance: Provision of life insurance for added financial security for dependents.
• Private Medical Insurance: Comprehensive private medical insurance for employees and potentially their families.
• Work From Home: Flexibility to work from home, supplementing the hybrid office requirement.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically expected to align with standard business hours, with a hybrid arrangement requiring 2 days per week in the Glasgow office. The training program itself is part-time over 16 weeks, suggesting flexibility may be available during the training phase.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is a benchmark for a mid-level developer in the specified region. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, reflecting Barclays' standard offerings and indicating a strong commitment to employee well-being and work-life integration, which are key operational considerations for employee retention and productivity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Barclays) with a focus on technology, digital transformation, and talent development (Code First Girls). Barclays operates within a highly regulated and dynamic financial sector, emphasizing innovation, security, and customer-centricity. Code First Girls focuses on increasing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry through education and career opportunities.

Company Size: Barclays is a global financial services provider, employing tens of thousands of individuals worldwide. Code First Girls, while smaller, has a significant impact in the tech education and diversity space. This partnership brings together the scale and resources of a large corporation with the focused mission of an educational non-profit.

Founded: Barclays was founded in 1736, making it one of the oldest banks in the world, with a long history of financial innovation and service. Code First Girls was founded in 2012, with a mission to provide accessible tech education, particularly for women.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The UI Developer will likely join a product development team within Barclays, which will include other developers (front-end and back-end), QA testers, product managers, UI/UX designers, and potentially business analysts. The "Code First Girls" program acts as a talent pipeline, integrating new talent into existing structures.
• Operations Team Aspect 2: Reporting lines will typically be to a Team Lead or Engineering Manager. The structure is likely to be hierarchical but with Agile methodologies promoting cross-functional team autonomy and collaboration.
• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is high, involving close work with product owners to understand requirements, designers for UI/UX, and other engineers for integration and deployment. Communication with stakeholders outside the immediate team (e.g., business units, compliance) is also expected.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: UI development is increasingly data-informed, using analytics to understand user behavior, identify pain points, and optimize user journeys. While not the primary focus of this role, an understanding of data interpretation is valuable.
• Workflow Planning and Optimization: The role is embedded within Agile/Scrum and potentially DevOps workflows, emphasizing continuous integration, iterative development, and efficient deployment processes.
• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Automation is key in modern development, from testing to deployment. The role encourages developing skills in these areas to improve team efficiency and product delivery speed.

Company Website: https://www.barclays.co.uk/, https://codefirstgirls.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of this role is a unique blend: a learning program by Code First Girls feeding into a specific role at Barclays. This implies the culture will be a mix of a fast-paced, innovative tech environment (Barclays) and a mission-driven, supportive educational initiative (Code First Girls). Understanding Barclays' operational focus on financial services, security, and regulation, alongside its digital transformation efforts, is key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Mid-Level" JavaScript Developer, representing a progression from entry-level or junior positions. It signifies a move towards greater autonomy, ownership of features, and the ability to contribute to technical decision-making. The program itself is designed to bridge the gap between existing experience and the expectations of a mid-level role.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will report to a technical lead or engineering manager within the Barclays technology department. They will be part of a development team that likely includes other mid-level and senior engineers, as well as product management and design professionals.

Operations Impact: As a UI Developer, the impact is directly on the user experience and the front-end functionality of digital products. This influences customer satisfaction, engagement, conversion rates, and the overall perception of Barclays' digital services. By developing efficient and intuitive interfaces, the role contributes to operational efficiency by reducing user friction and support queries.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in JavaScript frameworks (like React), TypeScript, and modern front-end build tools. Develop advanced skills in UI performance optimization, accessibility standards (WCAG), and complex state management.
• Technical Leadership: The program explicitly aims to develop "Technical Leadership" skills, including mentoring junior developers, leading technical discussions, contributing to architectural decisions, and improving team processes.
• Specialization Pathways: Potential to specialize in areas like front-end architecture, performance engineering, accessibility specialist, or even transition into related roles like Product Management or UX Engineering after gaining foundational experience. Opportunities within Barclays for further training and development are extensive.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of developing "T-Shaped Skills" and "Technical Leadership" within the job description is a strong indicator of growth potential. This role is not just about coding; it's about developing into a well-rounded technologist who can influence processes and mentor others, aligning with typical career progression in operations-focused tech roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires 2 days per week in the Glasgow office, suggesting a modern, collaborative office space designed for teamwork, brainstorming, and focused work. The remaining days are for remote work, offering flexibility.

Office Location(s): Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (Specific office address not provided, but likely within a central business district accessible by public transport).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office days are intended for team collaboration, knowledge sharing, pair programming, and in-person meetings with stakeholders, fostering a strong team dynamic.
• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to standard developer tools, high-speed internet, development environments, and potentially specialized hardware or software as required for UI development. Collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, and Confluence are likely standard.
• Operations Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact directly with product managers, designers, other developers, and potentially senior leadership during office days, facilitating clear communication and alignment on development goals and processes.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours, with the flexibility afforded by the hybrid model. This allows for effective management of personal time while ensuring consistent contribution to team projects and adherence to development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the need for in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work. This setup is common in tech roles and supports efficient operational workflows by catering to different work preferences and needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of CVs and applications to assess against the minimum experience and skill requirements.
• Technical Assessment: A coding challenge or technical interview focused on JavaScript proficiency, problem-solving, and potentially front-end concepts. This is a critical step as specified in the requirements.
• Training Program Commitment: Confirmation of availability and commitment to the 16-week, part-time training course.
• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and team members to assess cultural fit, communication skills, problem-solving approach, and understanding of Agile/DevOps principles. These interviews will likely explore how candidates handle challenges, collaborate, and learn.
• Final Offer: A conditional job offer from Barclays contingent on successful completion of the training program.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Relevant Projects: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your JavaScript skills, UI development capabilities, and experience with frameworks like React.
• Highlight Process: For each project, be prepared to explain your development process: how you understood requirements, designed the solution, wrote the code, handled challenges, and tested your work.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify achievements where possible. For example, "Improved page load time by X%" or "Implemented a new feature that increased user engagement by Y%."
• Clean and Well-Documented Code: Ensure your code samples are well-organized, readable, and include clear comments where necessary. A well-maintained GitHub profile is a strong asset.
• Storytelling: Be ready to tell a compelling story about your projects, explaining the problem you were solving, your approach, and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• JavaScript Fundamentals: Brush up on core JavaScript concepts, including data types, scope, closures, asynchronous programming (Promises, async/await), and ES6+ features.
• React Concepts: Review React's core principles, component lifecycle, state management (useState, useReducer), props, hooks, and context API.
• Problem-Solving: Practice common coding interview problems, focusing on algorithmic thinking and efficient solutions.
• UI/UX Principles: Be prepared to discuss basic UI/UX best practices, responsive design, and accessibility considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is multi-stage, with a strong emphasis on practical technical skills and commitment to learning. A robust portfolio showcasing JavaScript and React proficiency is essential for demonstrating readiness for both the training and the subsequent role. The "process" aspect will be evaluated through how candidates discuss their development methodologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• JavaScript: The core programming language.
• React: A leading JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
• TypeScript: A superset of JavaScript that adds static typing.
• CSS: For styling and presentation, potentially including CSS preprocessors (Sass, Less) or CSS-in-JS solutions.
• HTML5: For structuring web content.
• Version Control: Git (likely via GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal dashboard solutions may be used to track user behavior and product performance.
• Performance Monitoring Tools: Browser developer tools, Lighthouse, WebPageTest, or specialized APM tools for optimizing front-end performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly used by UI Developers in their day-to-day coding, understanding how front-end interfaces interact with back-end systems, APIs, and potentially CRM data is beneficial for context.
• Automation Tools: Familiarity with build tools (Webpack, Vite), task runners, and CI/CD platforms (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is standard for modern front-end development. Proficiency in JavaScript, React, and TypeScript is paramount. Understanding the broader ecosystem of build tools, version control, and how front-end applications integrate with other systems is crucial for operational effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Learn and Grow: A strong emphasis on continuous learning and skill development, as evidenced by the training program itself. Expect a culture that encourages upskilling and embracing new technologies.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: The hybrid model and Agile practices foster a collaborative environment where team members support each other and work towards shared goals.
• User-Centricity: A commitment to building products that meet user needs and provide excellent experiences, integrating user feedback into the development process.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: A core value of Code First Girls, which is likely to be reflected in the team's approach to product development and team dynamics, aiming to create products for everyone.
• Efficiency and Quality: Striving for efficient development processes and high-quality, reliable code.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with product managers, designers, and other engineers is expected. Open communication and shared ownership are key.
• Process Review and Feedback: Embracing regular feedback loops through code reviews, sprint retrospectives, and team discussions to continuously improve processes and outcomes.
• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing knowledge, best practices, and learnings, potentially through internal tech talks, pair programming, or documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is shaped by both Barclays' corporate environment and Code First Girls' mission. Expect a blend of professional corporate standards with a strong emphasis on learning, diversity, and impactful technology development. Understanding how these values translate into daily operations and decision-making will be important.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging the Skill Gap: For candidates with less than 1.5 years of experience, the primary challenge will be rapidly acquiring and demonstrating proficiency to meet mid-level expectations within the 16-week program.
• Transitioning to a Corporate Environment: Adapting to the processes, expectations, and scale of a large financial institution like Barclays after potentially working in different environments.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: The tech landscape evolves rapidly; staying current with new JavaScript features, framework updates, and best practices requires ongoing learning.
• Balancing Learning and Delivery: Effectively managing time to absorb new information during the course while also contributing to project deliverables.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Dedicated training program to enhance JavaScript, React, and UI development skills, leading to a recognized mid-level competency.
• Industry Certifications & Conferences: Potential access to internal training resources, workshops, and opportunities to attend industry conferences relevant to front-end development and technology.
• Operations Mentorship & Leadership: Direct mentorship from experienced engineers at Barclays, fostering career growth, and opportunities to take on more responsibility, potentially leading to technical leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a transition and development program. The growth opportunities are significant, with a clear pathway to becoming a skilled mid-level developer and progressing into leadership positions within a major financial institution. The program is designed to mitigate challenges through structured learning and support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "How would you approach designing a new user interface component to ensure it's both performant and accessible?" (Focus on process, best practices, and user impact). "Describe your process for debugging a complex front-end issue." (Highlight systematic problem-solving).
• Company & Culture: "Why are you interested in this specific program and working for Barclays?" (Showcase research into Barclays' tech initiatives and Code First Girls' mission). "How do you handle constructive criticism on your code or design?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and continuous improvement).
• Portfolio Presentation: "Walk us through a project where you significantly improved user experience or application performance." (Focus on quantifiable results and your process). "Describe a time you had to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders to translate requirements into a technical solution." (Showcase communication and translation skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Operations Team Dynamics: "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment?" (Emphasize collaboration, support, and communication). "What are your preferred methods for staying up-to-date with industry trends in front-end development?" (Highlight proactive learning).
• Operations Impact Measurement: "How do you think UI development impacts customer satisfaction and business goals?" (Connect technical work to business outcomes). "What metrics would you consider important for evaluating the success of a new UI feature?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework to clearly articulate the context, your role, the steps you took, and the outcome.
• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and data whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., performance improvements, user engagement metrics).
• Showcase Your Process: Explain how you built it – your design decisions, coding practices, testing methods, and how you overcame challenges.
• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific code snippets, architectural choices, and the technologies used in your portfolio projects.
• Enthusiasm for Learning: Convey your eagerness to learn and grow within the program and at Barclays.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical skills, a strong understanding of development processes, and a proactive, collaborative attitude. Highlighting technical leadership potential and a commitment to continuous learning will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Code First Girls careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and any linked portfolio (e.g., GitHub) highlight your 1.5+ years of relevant experience, focusing on JavaScript, UI development, and any exposure to React or similar frameworks. Tailor your project selection to showcase skills relevant to UI/UX and front-end development.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate achievements using action verbs and quantifiable results. If your experience isn't directly in UI Development, emphasize transferable skills from Software or Data Engineering roles, such as problem-solving, logical thinking, and coding proficiency.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your development process, technical problem-solving skills, and your understanding of Agile methodologies. Prepare to discuss your motivations for joining the program and your career aspirations.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with both Code First Girls' mission and Barclays' digital strategy and values. Understanding how this role contributes to Barclays' broader technological and business objectives will be beneficial.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.