Lead Animator - 3D Character Design

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Generous annual leave

State-of-the-art animation tech

Cape Town location

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Lead Animator to head the 3D character animation team. You will guide the group, set the animation quality bar, and ensure delivery of high-fidelity performances for entertainment projects.

The role requires artistic leadership, pipeline optimization, and mentoring of animators to maintain creative excellence and efficient workflows across projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in 3D character animation for games or film.
• Proven track record of leading animation teams and delivering high-quality character performances.
• Expert proficiency in Maya, Blender or 3ds Max.
• Strong understanding of rigging, animation principles, and storytelling through movement.
• Excellent artistic eye and ability to guide a team.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the 3D character animation process from blocking to final polish.
• Set high-quality animation standards and aesthetic direction for character performances.
• Collaborate with directors, art leads, and tech teams to realize the creative vision.
• Provide mentorship and develop skills within the animation team.
• Develop and refine animation workflows and tools to improve efficiency and quality.
• Review and approve shots to meet project requirements and artistic goals.

Skills

Leadership

Character animation

Pipeline optimization

Mentorship

Storytelling

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Animator to spearhead their 3D character animation team in Cape Town . This pivotal role involves guiding a talented group of animators, setting the animation quality bar, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-fidelity character performances for various entertainment projects. You will be responsible for driving artistic direction, optimizing animation pipelines, and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of character performance, a strong artistic sensibility, and proven leadership capabilities within the animation industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the 3D character animation process from initial blocking to final polish.


• Establish and maintain high-quality animation standards and aesthetic direction for all character performances.


• Collaborate closely with directors, art leads, and technical teams to achieve creative vision.


• Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to the animation team, fostering skill development.


• Develop and refine animation workflows and tools to improve efficiency and quality.


• Review and approve animation shots, ensuring they meet project requirements and artistic goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in 3D character animation for games or film.


• Proven track record of leading animation teams and delivering high-quality character performances.


• Expert proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).


• Strong understanding of character rigging , animation principles, and storytelling through movement.


• Excellent artistic eye, with a keen sense for timing, weight, and emotion in animation.


• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with performance incentives.


• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.


• Generous annual leave and paid sick days.


• Access to state-of-the-art animation technology and resources.


• Prime location in Cape Town with excellent amenities and vibrant cultural scene.