Lead Animation Director & Storyboard Artist

Placements24; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Cutting-edge animation technology and

Vacation and holiday leave

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Animation Director & Storyboard Artist for our Midrand studio in Gauteng. The role demands artistic vision, leadership, and a strong storytelling sensibility to guide animation teams and translate scripts into dynamic storyboards.

You will shape visual style, supervise the animation process, and collaborate with writers, producers, and other departments to ensure cohesive narrative and high-quality results across all production stages.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in animation direction or storyboard leadership.
• Proven ability to create detailed storyboards conveying action and emotion.
• Strong understanding of animation principles and cinematography.
• Proficient in Storyboard Pro, Toon Boom Harmony, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Portfolio featuring directing and storyboard work.
• Degree in Animation or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor animation and storyboard teams.
• Develop visual style and animation techniques for projects.
• Translate scripts into compelling storyboards with camera directions.
• Direct animation process ensuring quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with writers, producers, and department heads.
• Approve final storyboards and sequences.
• Provide constructive feedback to drive artistic excellence.

Skills

Animation direction

Storyboarding

Leadership

Team management

Creative direction

Education

Degree in Animation

Tools

Storyboard Pro

Toon Boom Harmony

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent animation studio located in **Midrand, Gauteng**, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Animation Director & Storyboard Artist to spearhead their upcoming animated projects. This senior role requires a blend of artistic talent, leadership acumen, and a deep understanding of storytelling through visual mediums. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding the animation team, developing artistic styles, and ensuring the visual narrative is compelling and cohesive across all stages of production. You will play a crucial role in translating scripts into dynamic storyboards and directing the animation process to achieve high-quality results. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the creative direction of animated content within a vibrant and innovative studio environment situated in **Midrand**. Join us and leave your mark on the future of animation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the animation and storyboard art teams, fostering a collaborative and creative atmosphere.
• Develop and oversee the visual style and animation techniques for new projects.
• Translate scripts and concepts into compelling storyboards, defining camera angles, character poses, and scene composition.
• Direct the animation process, providing clear feedback and guidance to animators to ensure quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with writers, producers, and other department heads to refine story flow and character development.
• Approve final storyboards and animation sequences, ensuring they meet the project's artistic and narrative objectives.
• Conduct reviews and provide constructive criticism to team members to drive artistic excellence.
• Contribute creative ideas for character design, environment aesthetics, and overall visual storytelling.
• Manage project timelines and resource allocation for the storyboard and animation departments.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in animation direction, storyboarding, or a similar leadership role within the animation industry.
• Proven ability to create detailed and expressive storyboards that effectively communicate action and emotion.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, cinematography, and visual storytelling techniques.
• Proficiency with industry-standard storyboarding and animation software (e.g., Storyboard Pro, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a track record of motivating creative professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate creative vision clearly.
• A strong portfolio showcasing directing work, storyboarding skills, and animation direction.
• Degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Film, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in character design and development is a plus.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary between R .
• Comprehensive medical and vision coverage.
• Opportunities for professional growth and participation in industry conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge animation technology and software.
• A dynamic and inspiring work environment within the creative hub of **Midrand, Gauteng**.
• Generous vacation leave and public holiday benefits.
• Retirement savings plan contributions.
• Performance-based bonuses and recognition.