Character Performance Animator

NetEase Games; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NetEase Games in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Animation Director to lead performance animation for key story sequences and cinematics, guiding facial performances, dialogue scenes, and action-driven moments.

You will collaborate with Art, Design and Engineering to set production pipelines and standards, define guidelines for in-engine integration, and leverage film and game industry experience to push quality while maintaining scalable workflows.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in animation direction or related film/game role with a portfolio.
• Strong cinematic language and emotional storytelling, able to deliver high-quality performances.
• Proficient in motion capture data processing and in-engine performance integration.
• Able to collaborate with Art, Design and Engineering to drive production standards.
• Experience establishing animation standards and scalable workflows.
• Fast-paced production environment experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of performance animation for key story sequences and interactive cinematics, overseeing facial performances, dialogue scenes, and action-driven performances to ensure emotional authenticity and cinematic quality.
• Collaborate closely with Art, Design, and Engineering teams to establish and maintain production pipelines and quality standards for performance animation, ensuring consistency in character emotions and visual storytelling.
• Define production guidelines and animation standards for facial performances, dialogue scenes, and character acting, driving scalable and efficient content creation workflows while continuously improving quality and productivity.
• Leverage experience from the film and game industries to optimize motion capture and keyframe animation pipelines, solve technical challenges, and enhance the overall quality and expressiveness of character performances.

Skills

Animation direction

Motion capture

Keyframe animation

Cinematic storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Job description

About NetEase Games:

As a leading internet technology company based in China, NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX:9999, “NetEase”) provides premium online services centered around content creation. With extensive offerings across its expanding gaming ecosystem, the Company develops and operates some of China’s most popular and longest-running mobile and PC games. Powered by industry-leading in-house R&D capabilities in China and globally, NetEase creates superior gaming experiences, inspires players, and passionately delivers value for its thriving community worldwide. By infusing play with culture and education with technology, NetEase transforms gaming into a meaningful vehicle to build a more entertaining and enlightened world.

About NetEase Games:

As a leading internet technology company based in China, NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX:9999, “NetEase”) provides premium online services centered around content creation. With extensive offerings across its expanding gaming ecosystem, the Company develops and operates some of China’s most popular and longest-running mobile and PC games. Powered by industry-leading in-house R&D capabilities in China and globally, NetEase creates superior gaming experiences, inspires players, and passionately delivers value for its thriving community worldwide. By infusing play with culture and education with technology, NetEase transforms gaming into a meaningful vehicle to build a more entertaining and enlightened world. NetEase’s ESG initiatives are among the best in the global media and entertainment industry, earning it a distinction as one of the S&P Global Industry Movers and an “A” rating from MSCI. For more information, please visit: http://ir.netease.com/

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and execution of performance animation for key story sequences and interactive cinematics, overseeing facial performances, dialogue scenes, and action-driven performances to ensure emotional authenticity and cinematic quality.
• Collaborate closely with Art, Design, and Engineering teams to establish and maintain production pipelines and quality standards for performance animation, ensuring consistency in character emotions and visual storytelling.
• Define production guidelines and animation standards for facial performances, dialogue scenes, and character acting, driving scalable and efficient content creation workflows while continuously improving quality and productivity.
• Leverage experience from the film and game industries to optimize motion capture and keyframe animation pipelines, solve technical challenges, and enhance the overall quality and expressiveness of character performances.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or above in Animation, Film, Directing, Digital Media Arts, or related disciplines preferred.
• 3+ years of experience as an Animation Director, Action Director, Performance Animator, or related role in the film or game industry. Candidates must provide portfolio examples demonstrating both action-oriented and subtle dramatic performances.
• Deep understanding of cinematic language, character acting, and emotional storytelling. Ability to independently deliver high-quality performances ranging from facial animation and dialogue scenes to action-driven sequences.
• Proficiency in motion capture data processing, keyframe animation, and in-engine performance integration. Ability to solve technical challenges throughout the animation production pipeline.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with Art, Design, and Engineering teams to drive production standards and pipeline execution.
• Strong industrialized production mindset. Experience establishing animation standards, optimizing workflows, and improving team-wide delivery quality is highly preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment. Prior experience in film production studios or cinematic teams is a plus.