Lead Animator

Placements24; George; In loco; ZAR 600.000 - 1.000.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Competitive salary

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement savings plans

Professional development opportunities

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Animator to spearhead the animation team and drive ambitious projects. You will shape the animation style, set quality standards, and mentor creatives across multiple productions.

The role requires 8+ years of professional animation experience, leadership experience, a strong portfolio, and proficiency in Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D, with a passion for visual storytelling and collaboration.

Competenze

• 8+ years of professional animation experience with 3+ years in a leadership/supervisory role.
• Strong portfolio across multiple styles focusing on Arts & Entertainment.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, storytelling, and cinematography.
• Experience with rigging, character setup, and pipeline development.

Mansioni

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators to achieve exceptional quality and consistency.
• Oversee the animation pipeline from concept to final render and compositing.
• Develop and maintain animation style guides and technical guidelines for coherence.
• Collaborate with directors and art directors to translate creative vision into animations.
• Review and provide constructive feedback to ensure project requirements are met.
• Identify and implement new animation techniques, tools, and workflows for efficiency.
• Manage animation schedules and resource allocation to ensure timely delivery.
• Troubleshoot complex animation problems and provide effective solutions.
• Contribute to character rigging, modelling, and scene setup as needed.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices.

Conoscenze

Leadership

Mentoring

Creative direction

Team management

Formazione

Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Digital Media, or related field

Strumenti

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Cinema 4D

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a leading name in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is seeking an exceptional Lead Animator to spearhead creative initiatives in their **George, Western Cape** studio. This is a critical role for an individual with a passion for visual storytelling and a proven ability to guide and inspire an animation team. You will be instrumental in defining the animation style and quality for a range of exciting projects, ensuring they meet the highest industry standards. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic foundation, technical proficiency in animation software, and excellent leadership qualities. You will work at the forefront of animation technology, pushing creative boundaries and delivering captivating visual content. We are looking for someone who can not only create stunning animations but also mentor and develop the talent within the animation department. Our client is committed to fostering a collaborative and innovative environment in **George, Western Cape**, where artistic excellence in the Arts & Entertainment field is paramount. This role offers a significant opportunity for professional growth and impact within a respected organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators to achieve exceptional animation quality and consistency across all projects.
• Oversee the animation pipeline, from concept development and storyboarding to final rendering and compositing.
• Develop and maintain animation style guides and technical guidelines to ensure project coherence.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other stakeholders to interpret creative vision and translate it into compelling animations.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation work, ensuring adherence to project requirements and artistic goals.
• Identify and implement new animation techniques, tools, and workflows to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Manage animation schedules and resource allocation to ensure timely project delivery.
• Troubleshoot complex animation problems and provide effective solutions.
• Contribute to character rigging, modeling, and scene setup as needed.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in animation.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of professional animation experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role within the Arts & Entertainment industry.
• A strong portfolio showcasing outstanding animation skills across various styles and techniques, particularly for Arts & Entertainment productions.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, cinematography, character performance, and visual storytelling.
• Experience with rigging, character setup, and pipeline development.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate a team, foster collaboration, and drive creative excellence.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Digital Media, or a related field is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Employees in **George, Western Cape** will benefit from working on high-profile projects within the Arts & Entertainment sector, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a significant impact on creative output.
• We offer a creative workspace and a culture that values innovation and artistic expression.