Animation Director

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation assistance

State-of-the-art tools

Professional growth opportunities

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Animation Director in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, to lead an animation team and set the style and quality bar for projects. You will guide animators, ensure emotionally resonant performances, and partner with directors and narrative teams to achieve artistic goals.

The role requires a strong artistic sensibility, exceptional leadership, and deep knowledge of animation principles and storytelling.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in animation, with a leadership track record on shipped titles.
• Portfolio showcasing exceptional animation skills and leadership on shipped projects.
• Deep understanding of character performance, rigging, and acting principles.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, MotionBuilder).

Responsibilities

• Define and champion the animation vision and style for all projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Oversee the animation pipeline, ensuring efficient workflows and timely delivery of assets.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art leads, and narrative teams to achieve artistic goals.
• Conduct animation reviews, ensuring adherence to quality standards and character consistency.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve animation-related challenges throughout production.

Skills

Leadership

Storytelling

Communication

Character animation

Pipeline knowledge

Tools

Maya

MotionBuilder

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary and experienced Animation Director to lead their animation team in Mossel Bay , Western Cape. You will be responsible for defining the animation style and quality bar for their projects, guiding animators, and ensuring that character performances and movements are compelling, believable, and emotionally resonant. This role requires a strong artistic sensibility, exceptional leadership skills, and a deep understanding of animation principles and storytelling. You will be instrumental in bringing characters and worlds to life with stunning, high-quality animation.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and champion the animation vision and style for all projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Oversee the animation pipeline, ensuring efficient workflows and timely delivery of assets.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art leads, and narrative teams to achieve artistic goals.
• Conduct animation reviews, ensuring adherence to quality standards and character consistency.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve animation-related challenges throughout production.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in animation, with a significant portion in a leadership role (e.g., Lead Animator, Animation Supervisor, Animation Director) in games or film.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation skills and successful leadership on shipped titles.
• Deep understanding of character performance, rigging, acting principles, and animation techniques.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, MotionBuilder).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and team-building skills.
• A passion for storytelling and creating memorable character experiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead animation on exciting and innovative projects in Mossel Bay .
• Supportive work environment with a focus on artistic excellence and professional growth.
• Generous paid time off and relocation assistance if needed.
• Access to state-of-the-art animation tools and technology.