Lead Animator

9 Story Media Group; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Paid holiday

Healthcare scheme

Life insurance

Sick leave

Educational assistance

Bike to work

Pet-friendly studio

Job summary

Brown Bag Films in Dublin is seeking a Lead Animator for a 6-month fixed-term contract. You will deliver high-quality animation, craft reusable assets, and coach junior animators while aligning with pre-production. The role requires a proactive, collaborative attitude and hands-on leadership.

The position operates on a hybrid model, with at least two days per week in the studio. Must have the right to work in Ireland for the contract duration.

Qualifications

• 3D animation experience is required.
• Proven ability to collaborate with production crews and artists.
• Solid understanding of body mechanics for realistic movement and expressive faces.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Animation team to deliver high-quality animation within project constraints.
• Create libraries of reusable animation assets (e.g., walk/run cycles).
• Develop 3D character rigs in collaboration with Rigging/Modelling teams.
• Build banks of expressions and phonemes for characters.

Skills

3D animation

MAYA

Unreal Engine

body mechanics

facial posing

Education

Animation Qualification (desirable)

Tools

MAYA

Unreal Engine

Job description

Job Description At Brown Bag Films, our motto is simple: “We Love Animation™.” And we mean it - we put our artists at the heart of everything we do. As one of the most creatively driven animation studios, we are passionate about creating high-quality, engaging content for kids and families everywhere.

We are currently looking for a Lead Animator to join our talented team here at our Dublin studio. The successful candidate will To deliver high-quality animation, working alongside the animation team by completing shots creating reusable animation assets and working with the pre-production team. The Lead Animator will coach and develop the work of other animators in the team, progressing appropriate shots to submission.

This is a 6-month Fixed Term Contract based in Dublin starting September 2026.

Please note that our studio operates on a hybrid model, with a minimum of two days per week required in the studio.

The successful candidate must have the right to work in Ireland for the duration of the contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Animation team to create the highest quality animation within the constraints of the project budget and schedule.
• Creating libraries of reusable animation assets for use in production e.g. walk cycles, run cycles
• Working with Rigging and/or modelling team in development of 3d character rigs for production
• Creating banks of expressions and phonemes for characters in productions
• During the testing phase of the character rigs, working on dialogue shots for given characters to develop the personality of the character and trouble shoot potential issues before use in production.
• Working with junior animators to progress their shots/assets to appropriate quality before submission for approvals.
• Collaborating with the animation Director to establish animation style.

Key Requirements

Knowledge

• Good understanding of body mechanics.
• Good understanding of facial posing required to achieve appealing expressions and mouth shapes.

Experience

• 3D animation experience.
• Track record of working effectively with all levels of production crew, artistic staff and management.

Technical Experience

• Skilled in MAYA.
• Animation Qualification (desirable).
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine (desirable).

What We Offer

• An inspiring, creative environment
• A supportive and collaborative team that values your contribution.
• Hybrid Working – Minimum of 2 days working in studio.
• 25 paid holiday days per annum (available immediately, pro-rated)
• Up to 10 paid sick leave days per annum (available immediately, pro-rated)
• HSF Healthcare Scheme (available immediately - opt-in cash scheme)
• Life insurance (available immediately)
• Long Term Sickness Income protection (available immediately)
• Maternity Leave Payment
• Educational Assistance

Other perks that are available to BBF employees

• Up to 10 days (in one block) in a calendar year Working from Anywhere Policy (after successful probation period)
• Employee Assistance Programme (available immediately)
• Bike to Work Scheme (available immediately)
• Tax Savers Scheme (available immediately)
• Specsavers Voucher (available immediately)
• Dog Friendly studio/policy.