Head of Effects

Netflix; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 245,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Mental health support

Retirement programs

Family-forming benefits

Paid leave of absence

Paid time off

Job summary

Netflix's NAS Vancouver studio seeks a Head of Effects to lead all show-based VFX for an animated feature. You will direct look development and delivery of water, fire, smoke, and magical effects, collaborating with Directors and Art Directors to define the visual storytelling role.

The role requires strong leadership, deep Houdini expertise, and a track record in high-end VFX pipelines. Hybrid role with on-site collaboration in Vancouver.

Qualifications

• Ten+ years of Effects experience in film/TV/games.
• 5–7 years in leadership or supervisory roles on large animated features or high-end VFX films.
• Proven Houdini expertise with fluids, pyro, particles, and volumes; Maya familiarity is a plus.
• Experience guiding Effects tools, pipelines, and scripting (Python, VEX).
• Strong eye for physics, motion, and visual design; ability to give constructive notes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Effects from look development to final shot delivery.
• Define creative and technical approach for key Effects in collaboration with Directors and Art Directors.
• Review Effects work with actionable notes on artistic quality and reliability.
• Collaborate with Layout, Animation, CFX, Environments, Lighting, and Compositing.
• Develop and maintain robust Effects tools and workflows with Tech Supervisors and R&D.
• Mentor and support Effects staff, fostering growth and positive team culture.
• Promote knowledge sharing and consistent practices across the department.

Skills

Leadership

VFX supervision

Houdini

Python

Pipeline development

Mentoring

Tools

Maya

VEX

Job description

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Head of Effects to support our upcoming animated feature film. The Head of Effects works inside of NAS as the show-based leader for all Effects work on the production, including water, fire, smoke, atmospherics, destruction, debris, and magical or abstract effects. They will partner closely with the Director, Production Designer, Art Directors, and other department heads to define the look, behavior, and storytelling role of Effects on the show.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and supervise Effects across the show, from look development through to final shot delivery
• Define the creative and technical approach for key Effects (water, fire, smoke, atmospherics, destruction, magical/abstract) in collaboration with Directors and Art Directors
• Review Effects work, providing clear, actionable notes to artists and TAs on both artistic quality and technical reliability
• Collaborate with Layout, Animation, CFX, Environments, Lighting, and Compositing to ensure Effects supports performance, readability, and story
• Partner with Technical Supervisors, Production Technology, and R&D to develop and maintain robust, efficient Effects tools and workflows
• Anticipate and solve complex creative and technical challenges in Effects, offering pragmatic, innovative solutions
• Work with Production Management on bids, schedules, and milestones to deliver high-quality Effects on time and within scope
• Mentor and support Effects Supervisors, Leads, Artists, and TAs, fostering growth, clarity, and a positive team culture
• Promote knowledge sharing and consistent practices across the Effects department and related teams
• Collaborate with grace, humility, inclusion, and open-mindedness

What You’ll Need:

• At least 10 years of Effects experience within film, TV, or games, including 5–7 years in leadership or supervisory roles on large-scale animated features or high-end VFX films
• Proven, production-level expertise in Houdini (SOPs/DOPs/POPs), with a strong understanding of fluids, pyro, rigid bodies, particles, and volumes; familiarity with other DCC tools (e.g., Maya) is a plus
• Experience contributing to or guiding the development of Effects tools, techniques, and pipeline methodologies, including scripting (e.g., Python, VEX)
• A strong eye for physics, motion, and visual design, and the ability to give clear, constructive notes that improve performance and appeal
• Deep understanding of how Effects integrates into the broader 3D animation pipeline, including Layout, Animation, CFX, Environments, Lighting, and Compositing
• Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills, with the ability to build trust and enthusiasm across a cross-site team
• Comfort balancing quick turnaround needs with long-term quality and technical stability

This role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office).

At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $245K - $299K CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have stock options.

NAS benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off. See more detail about our benefits here.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.