Principal Animation Director

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health benefits and retirement savings

Hybrid work arrangement in Welkom

Growth opportunities and access to new

cutting-edge technology

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa's Free State invites a visionary Principal Animation Director to lead artistic and technical direction for multiple projects in a hybrid Welkom studio. You will nurture a high-caliber team, translate creative vision into compelling narratives, and uphold top-quality animation standards.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of experience, leadership track record, mastery of Maya/Blender/3ds Max, and a portfolio of directing animation for film, TV, or games.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide artistic and technical leadership for all animation sequences across multiple projects.
• Direct and mentor the animation team, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.

Skills

Leadership

Storytelling

Communication

Team management

Mentoring

Project management

Animation principles

Character performance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

A cutting-edge animation studio in Welkom, Free State, is looking for a highly experienced and visionary Principal Animation Director. This leadership role is responsible for guiding the artistic and technical direction of animation projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality and creative execution. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, storytelling, and team management. You will lead a talented team of animators, inspire creative excellence, and translate project vision into compelling visual narratives. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of animation from Welkom and leave your artistic mark on significant productions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide artistic and technical leadership for all animation sequences across multiple projects.
• Direct and mentor the animation team, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
• Establish and maintain the animation style, quality, and performance benchmarks for projects.
• Collaborate with story, art, and editorial departments to ensure animation aligns with the overall vision.
• Review animation dailies, providing constructive feedback to animators to achieve desired results.
• Develop and refine character performances, ensuring emotional depth and believability.
• Oversee the animation pipeline, identifying and implementing improvements for efficiency and quality.
• Work closely with the production team to manage schedules, resources, and budgets related to animation.
• Contribute to character design and storyboarding processes as needed.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and technological advancements in animation.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the animation industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership or directing role.
• Proven track record of successfully directing and delivering high-quality animation projects (film, TV, or games).
• Exceptional understanding of animation principles, anatomy, physics, and character performance.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and familiarity with relevant rendering engines.
• Strong storytelling skills and a keen eye for composition, pacing, and visual narrative.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback and motivate a team.
• Experience managing animation pipelines and optimizing workflows.
• A strong portfolio showcasing directing and animation capabilities, ideally within the Free State region or similar creative hubs.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health benefits, and retirement savings options.
• This role includes a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between remote flexibility and in-studio collaboration in Welkom.
• Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, access to cutting-edge technology, and the chance to work on innovative and exciting projects.
• Join a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of animation artistry in South Africa.