Lead Character Animator — Shape Believable Performances

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

State-of-the-art technology

Team-building events

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Mahikeng, North West, ZA, seeks a Lead Character Animator to guide a team of animators, shape performances, and uphold the studio’s high-quality standards.

You will mentor artists, collaborate with directors and riggers, and drive animation pipelines with best practices in Maya, Blender, and 3ds Max, staying ahead of industry trends.

This is a high-profile creative leadership role offering growth, competitive salary, and the chance to leave a lasting mark on exciting productions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years in character animation with 2+ years in lead or supervisory roles.
• Strong demo reel showcasing animation skills, anatomy, and motion understanding.
• Expertise in Maya, Blender, and/or 3ds Max; rigging proficiency is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and guide a studio team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character animators with artistic direction.
• Oversee animation quality and consistency across projects.
• Create high-quality character animations focusing on performance and timing.
• Collaborate with art directors, designers, and riggers to achieve desired performances.
• Develop and implement animation workflows and best practices.
• Troubleshoot animation-related technical issues and provide reviews.
• Stay updated on latest techniques, software, and industry trends.

Skills

Character animation

Leadership

Team mentorship

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Rigging

Art direction

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

Placements24 in Mahikeng, North West, ZA, seeks a Lead Character Animator to guide a team of animators, shape performances, and uphold the studio’s high-quality standards.

You will mentor artists, collaborate with directors and riggers, and drive animation pipelines with best practices in Maya, Blender, and 3ds Max, staying ahead of industry trends.

This is a high-profile creative leadership role offering growth, competitive salary, and the chance to leave a lasting mark on exciting productions.