Lead Animator

Steel City Interactive; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Private Healthcare including Optical & Dental

Free snacks, fruit, and drinks

2 days paid Mental Health leave per year

Access to 24/7 doctors

£300 wellbeing stipend every January

Unlimited access to Udemy courses

Wrap parties & company paid outings

Job summary

A gaming company in Sheffield is looking for a Lead Animator who will oversee animation production for their ambitious boxing game. The role requires experience in managing teams and executing high-quality animation work. Alongside competitive compensation, this position offers a vibrant work-life culture and numerous learning and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5 years experience in the games industry as a Lead Animator.
• Experience managing a team of animators.
• Have shipped at least one game.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all aspects of animation production.
• Leads a team of Animators and oversees their personal development.
• Organises and directs motion capture shoots.

Skills

3D Animation

Team Management

Communication

Maya

Motion Capture

Education

Degree in Art or Animation

Tools

Maya

Motion Builder

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

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C- Suite and Executive Games Industry Recruiter - Ambassador at Special Effect

SCI was born out of passion for video games and boxing, with the ambition to create an authentic and exciting boxing game that does justice to the sport we love. What started as a fun prototype has grown into ‘Undisputed’, the first major boxing video game in over a decade.

SCI is a welcoming place for expression and open communication, where everyone has a voice. We’re a diverse bunch, consisting of people with decades of games industry experience, graduates and talented individuals who come from other industries. We all bring knowledge and learn from each other.

Together we are driven by ambition to bring the world of boxing into a video game like never before.

The Role

Supporting the Head of Art the Lead Animator is responsible for delivering all animation-based art work . This encompasses RnD, technical investigation, evaluation, establishing workflows and processes and delivery of content at scale during the full production cycle.

They are responsible for defining the overall quality of Animation, pushing the levels of fidelity so it’s indicative of industry leading quality and constantly exploring new methodology to push next gen boundaries.

Will be able to work with and deliver complex facial animation workflows.

Ensures all animation work is planned effectively, clearly communicated and includes strategic planning for efficiencies and cross discipline dependencies like rigging, 3D Characters and cinematics.

Will have experience of managing and organising motion capture shoots from actor booking, shot planning, directing actors and cataloguing capture.

Will have a good degree of experience with managing teams and having direct line reports. Will hold regular 1:1’s with artists to mentor, coach and develop their skills for them to succeed in their role and future career ambitions.

Alongside the Head of Art, the Lead Animator will communicate updates for their specific craft. Presents with confidence, gravitas and persuasion within the team and wider organisation.

Alongside the Head of Art, they can effectively define and articulate the art vision goals and pillars for the project in a way that is clearly understandable to different audiences.

Can work closely with external development teams to instruct and review work.

Responsibilities

• Alongside the Head of Art, they share responsibility to champion the high level vision and direction of the game and franchise.
• Oversees all aspects of animation production and works closely with the production team to support and deliver content aligned to the roadmap.
• Leads a team of Animators and oversees their personal development.
• Inspires peers to push limits of what could be achieved through the delivery of benchmark animations.
• Will understand rigging processes and be able to provide technical animation guidance.
• Will work on facial animation techniques.
• Can provide animation support across other areas like cloth, hair and other environmental objects.
• Will use animation-based software like, maya, motion builder including unity & unreal animation workflows.
• Outside the box thinking to bring in new potential art features related to their craft; effectively working with talent in and outside the studio.
• Oversees, organises and directs motion capture shoots.
• Assess and communicate issues and risks within reasonable timescales.
• Has a keen eye for quality, identifying areas that could be improved, ensuring their area of expertise meets the highest standards.
• Helps to mentoring and coach colleagues in their artistic development.

Experience

• At least 5 years in the games industry as a Lead Animator managing a team of animators and technical animators.
• Shipped at least one game, where you were heavily involved in the delivery of character-based content.
• Is confident using project planning software.
• Expert in standard 3D Art software and game engines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Based in the UK.

What we offer

Healthy work-life balance:

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service.
• Christmas shut down
• Holiday exchange programme

Support for family life:

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental

Great office environment:

• A dog friendly studio based in Sheffield, with free snacks, fruit and drinks!
• Free parking
• Company sick pay
• 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year
• Access to 24/7 doctors
• Employee Assistance Programme
• £300 wellbeing stipend every January

Learning support:

• Unlimited access to Udemy courses
• Technology scheme (up to £750)
• Discount Club at over 350 high street stores
• Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
• Electric Car Vehicle Scheme
• Discretionary Bonus

Connection and perks:

• Wrap parties & company paid outings
• Individual entertainment budget to cover team events

To apply reach out to their exclusive recruitment partner [e-mail] via Amiqus

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Art/Creative

• Industries

  Computer Games

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