Senior Animation Director

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary package

Career growth opportunities

Creative and inspiring environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking aSenior Animation Director in Benoni to lead artistic and technical direction for high-quality animation projects. The role blends in-office collaboration with remote work, guiding a team of skilled animators and shaping visually rich storytelling.

The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, rigging, and cinematic storytelling, with a strong portfolio and leadership track record in Arts & Entertainment projects.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as an Animator or Animation Supervisor, with a significant portion in a directorial or lead role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing animation work and directing capabilities.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, rigging, and texturing.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and related tools.
• Experience with various animation techniques (2D, 3D, motion capture).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage and motivate a team in a collaborative environment.
• Strong understanding of storytelling and cinematic principles.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Film, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Passion for the Arts & Entertainment industry and a keen eye for visual quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide artistic and technical leadership for animation teams on various projects.
• Develop and communicate the animation vision, style, and quality standards for projects.
• Oversee the entire animation pipeline, from pre-visualization to final output.
• Collaborate with directors, storytellers, and other department heads to ensure cohesive project execution.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation work, ensuring it meets project requirements and creative goals.
• Mentor and guide animators, fostering their professional development and creative growth.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Ensure timely delivery of animation assets according to production schedules.
• Contribute to storyboarding, character design, and animatic development.
• Stay abreast of emerging animation technologies and techniques.

Skills

Animation leadership

Team mentorship

Storytelling

Cinematic principles

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in the Arts & Entertainment domain, is seeking an accomplished Senior Animation Director to join their team based in Benoni. This role operates on a hybrid model, offering a balance between in-office creative collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. As an Animation Director, you will be responsible for guiding the artistic and technical direction of animated projects, ensuring the highest quality of animation and visual storytelling. You will lead and inspire a team of talented animators, fostering a creative and productive atmosphere. The ideal candidate is a visionary with a deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and narrative structure, passionate about bringing imaginative worlds and characters to life. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the animated content for innovative projects in the vibrant cultural hub of Benoni.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide artistic and technical leadership for animation teams on various projects.
• Develop and communicate the animation vision, style, and quality standards for projects.
• Oversee the entire animation pipeline, from pre-visualization to final output.
• Collaborate with directors, storytellers, and other department heads to ensure cohesive project execution.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation work, ensuring it meets project requirements and creative goals.
• Mentor and guide animators, fostering their professional development and creative growth.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Ensure timely delivery of animation assets according to production schedules.
• Contribute to storyboarding, character design, and animatic development.
• Stay abreast of emerging animation technologies and techniques.

Requirements

• Extensive experience as an Animator or Animation Supervisor, with a significant portion in a directorial or lead role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation work and directing capabilities.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, rigging, and texturing.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and related tools.
• Experience with various animation techniques (2D, 3D, motion capture).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage and motivate a team in a collaborative environment.
• Strong understanding of storytelling and cinematic principles.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Film, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Passion for the Arts & Entertainment industry and a keen eye for visual quality.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting senior-level experience.
• Hybrid work model providing flexibility and work-life balance in Benoni.
• Opportunity to lead animation on exciting and diverse projects within the Arts & Entertainment sector.
• Professional growth and development within a leading creative organization.
• Collaborative and inspiring work environment.
• Contribute to cutting-edge animated content.