Remote Lead Animator (Character & Creature)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 400,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Global distributed team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a fully remote Lead Animator specialized in character and creature animation. You will guide a distributed team, set the quality bar, and drive lifelike performances across projects in Arts & Entertainment.

Strong leadership and a deep grasp of animation principles are required. The role requires mastery of Maya, a proven track record leading animation teams, and the ability to deliver polished sequences from blocking to final render, while collaborating with directors to

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in character and creature animation for film, games, or related Arts & Entertainment fields.
• Proven leadership experience managing animation teams.
• Mastery of Maya or other industry-standard 3D animation software.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, including weight, timing, spacing, and performance.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation skills and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character and creature animators, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Establish and maintain the animation style and quality standards for projects.
• Oversee the animation process from blocking to final polish, ensuring timely delivery.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other department leads to achieve the artistic vision.
• Animate complex character and creature performances, focusing on emotional nuance and believable movement.
• Review animation dailies and provide clear, actionable notes.
• Troubleshoot animation pipeline issues and develop efficient workflows.
• Stay current with cutting-edge animation techniques and software.

Skills

Character animation

Creature animation

Leadership

Animation principles

Tools

Maya

Motion capture cleanup

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the **Arts & Entertainment** industry, is actively seeking a highly skilled and visionary Remote Lead Animator specializing in Character & Creature animation. This is a fully remote opportunity, allowing you to contribute your exceptional talent from **Paarl, Western Cape**, or anywhere globally. You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented animators, setting the animation quality bar, and ensuring the lifelike and compelling performance of characters and creatures across various projects. This role demands a deep understanding of animation principles, strong leadership qualities, and a passion for bringing digital beings to life. We are looking for a creative force who can inspire a team and deliver world-class animation that drives narrative and captivates audiences. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the emotional depth and visual appeal of our client's productions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character and creature animators, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Establish and maintain the animation style and quality standards for projects.
• Oversee the animation process from blocking to final polish, ensuring timely delivery.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and other department leads to achieve the artistic vision.
• Animate complex character and creature performances, focusing on emotional nuance and believable movement.
• Review animation dailies and provide clear, actionable notes.
• Troubleshoot animation pipeline issues and develop efficient workflows.
• Stay current with cutting-edge animation techniques and software.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in character and creature animation for film, games, or related **Arts & Entertainment** fields.
• Proven leadership experience managing animation teams.
• Mastery of Maya or other industry-standard 3D animation software.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, including weight, timing, spacing, and performance.
• Strong ability to create realistic and stylized character/creature performances.
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, essential for leading a remote team.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation skills and leadership examples.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, coupled with the unique advantage of a fully remote work arrangement within the **Arts & Entertainment** sector.
• You will have the opportunity to influence major creative projects and contribute to a culture of artistic excellence.
• This role provides significant scope for career advancement and the chance to work with a globally distributed, talented team, all from the convenience of your chosen location.