Senior Animation Director

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

State-of-the-art facilities

Generous paid time off

Annual bonus opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Animation Director to lead our character animation efforts, shaping the vision and quality for flagship projects. You will guide a team of animators, collaborate with art directors and designers, and drive the storytelling through movement.

The role requires a deep understanding of animation principles, pipeline development, and proficiency in Maya/Blender/3ds Max, Unreal/Unity integration, and motion capture cleanup.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in character animation leadership for games or film.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, storytelling through movement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide the character animation team throughout the production cycle.
• Establish and maintain the animation style and quality bar for all projects.
• Collaborate with art directors to define character personalities and performance requirements.
• Review and provide feedback on animation assets, ensuring technical and artistic integrity.
• Develop and refine animation pipelines and workflows for efficiency and quality.
• Ensure animations meet gameplay requirements, providing responsive character control.

Skills

Character animation leadership

Animation principles

Motion capture cleanup

Unreal Engine

Unity

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Animation Director to lead our character animation efforts in Durban . You will be responsible for defining and executing the animation vision for our flagship projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance. This role requires a deep understanding of character performance, storytelling through movement, and the technical pipeline necessary to deliver breathtaking animated sequences. You will manage and inspire a team of animators, working closely with art directors and game designers to bring virtual characters to life with unparalleled realism and emotional depth, contributing significantly to our studio's reputation for excellence in character animation.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide the character animation team throughout the entire production cycle.
• Establish and maintain the animation style and quality bar for all projects.
• Collaborate with art directors to define character personalities and performance requirements.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation assets, ensuring technical and artistic integrity.
• Develop and refine animation pipelines and workflows for maximum efficiency and quality.
• Ensure animations meet gameplay requirements, providing responsive and believable character control.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in character animation for games or film, with a proven track record in a directorial or lead role.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, cinematography, and storytelling through movement .
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Experience with motion capture cleanup and integration.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Knowledge of game development pipelines and engine integration (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with comprehensive benefits package.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• State-of-the-art animation facilities and workstations.
• Generous paid time off and annual bonus opportunities.
• A collaborative and inspiring work environment focused on creative excellence.