Lead Animator

Lunar Animation; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HellaGoodAudio in Sheffield, UK is seeking a Lead Animator to guide a talented team on high-end productions. You will define animation quality, mentor artists, provide feedback, and ensure delivery meets creative and production goals.

We’re looking for expert Maya skills, proven leadership, and a passion for storytelling through movement. Remote candidates are encouraged to apply; the role offers studio collaboration with occasional remote work.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of Autodesk Maya with exceptional animation skills and storytelling.
• Proven experience leading animation teams on professional productions.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the animation team across one or more productions.
• Create high-qualityCharacter, Creature, and Vehicle Keyframe Animation.
• Review animation work and provide clear, constructive feedback.
• Mentor and support animators at all levels.
• Collaborate with Directors, Supervisors, Production and other departments to meet project goals.
• Define and maintain animation quality standards.
• Assist with shot allocation, planning and workload management.
• Camera Layout and Previsualisation.
• Direct reference to support performance and storytelling.
• Identify and develop solutions for creative, technical, and production challenges.
• Support development of animation workflows, tools, and pipeline improvements.

Skills

Autodesk Maya

Team leadership

Animation review & feedback

Character/creature/vehicle animation

Cinematography storytelling

Mentoring

Job description

The Role

We are looking to hire a Lead Animator to join our studio based in Sheffield, UK.

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional animator with proven experience leading teams and delivering work on high-end productions. They will be responsible for helping define animation quality, supporting and mentoring artists, providing constructive feedback, and ensuring the team delivers work that meets both creative and production goals.

We're particularly interested in candidates who enjoy working closely with a team in a studio environment, although exceptional remote candidates are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Leading the animation team across one or more productions.
• Creating high-quality Character, Creature, and Vehicle Keyframe Animation.
• Reviewing animation work and providing clear, constructive feedback.
• Mentoring and supporting animators at all levels.
• Working closely with Directors, Supervisors, Production, and other departments to achieve project goals.
• Helping define and maintain animation quality standards.
• Assisting with shot allocation, planning, and workload management.
• Camera Layout and Previsualisation.
• Recording and directing reference to support performance and storytelling.
• Identifying creative, technical, and production challenges and helping develop solutions.
• Supporting the development of animation workflows, tools, and pipeline improvements.

Skills & Requirements

Required

• Expert knowledge of Autodesk Maya with exceptional animation skills, including posing, timing, weight, rhythm, performance, and storytelling.
• Proven experience leading animation teams on professional productions.
• Strong ability to review work, provide feedback, and elevate the performance of others.
• Excellent understanding of human anatomy, movement, and physical performance.
• Strong knowledge of real-world physics and their application within animation.
• Strong understanding of cinematography and visual storytelling.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.