Animation Supervisor - 3D Character Animation

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking an experienced Animation Supervisor to lead a team of 3D character animators in Tembisa, Gauteng. You will drive the animation pipeline from blocking to polish, ensuring expressive performances and technical excellence.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in 3D character animation, with 2+ years in a supervisory role, a strong portfolio, and fluency with Maya or Blender.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in 3D character animation with 2+ years in a supervisory/lead role.
• Strong portfolio showing character animation with timing, weight and emotion.
• Proficiency in Maya, Blender or equivalent animation software.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the character animation team through the production pipeline.
• Review dailies and provide constructive feedback aligning with directorial vision.
• Collaborate with rigging, modeling and lighting to ensure seamless workflow.
• Block, animate, and polish key character shots.
• Mentor junior animators and develop their technical growth.
• Communicate effectively with production management and department leads.
• Stay current with industry trends and techniques in 3D character animation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Feedback

Animation principles

Problem solving

Tools

Maya

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a recognized leader in the animation and visual effects industry within Tembisa, Gauteng, is actively seeking an experienced Animation Supervisor to lead their talented team of 3D character animators. This crucial role involves guiding the animation process from initial blocking through to final polish, ensuring that characters are brought to life with emotion, personality, and technical excellence. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of animation principles, exceptional leadership qualities, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality character animation for film, television, or gaming. This is a fantastic opportunity to mentor artists, contribute creatively, and shape the visual narrative of impactful projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide the character animation team throughout the production pipeline.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation dailies, ensuring adherence to directorial vision and technical standards.
• Collaborate closely with the rigging, modeling, and lighting departments to ensure seamless workflow.
• Block, animate, and polish key character shots as needed.
• Ensure animation quality, consistency, and performance meets project requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve animation-related technical issues.
• Mentor and develop junior animators, fostering their artistic and technical growth.
• Communicate effectively with production management and other department leads.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in 3D character animation.
• Contribute to the overall creative vision and storytelling of the project.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in 3D character animation, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation skills, demonstrating strong performance, timing, and emotion.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent.
• Solid understanding of animation principles, including weight, balance, squash and stretch, and anticipation.
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive, and actionable feedback to animators.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.