Senior Animation Director

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director to lead creative teams in producing high-quality animated content from our studio in Tembisa. You will define artistic direction, style, and the overall vision for projects, guiding artists, modelers, riggers, and animators to deliver engaging work on time and within budget.

The role requires strong leadership, a deep understanding of animation principles, storytelling, and the ability to inspire talent across the production pipeline.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Animation Director or Lead Animator on multiple projects.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, character performance, cinematography and visual storytelling.
• Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the overall artistic direction for animated productions.
• Supervise and guide the animation team, providing feedback and technical direction throughout production.
• Collaborate with storyboard artists and character designers to define visual styles and performances.
• Review animation dailies and provide constructive feedback to ensure quality and consistency.
• Work with production to manage schedules and resources for timely asset delivery.
• Contribute to development of new animation techniques and workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Animation principles

Character performance

Cinematography

Visual storytelling

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Senior Animation Director to lead creative teams in the development of high-quality animated content in Tembisa . You will be responsible for defining the artistic direction, style, and overall vision for animated projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and engagement. This pivotal role requires a deep understanding of animation techniques, storytelling, and character development, coupled with the ability to inspire and guide artists, modelers, riggers, and animators. You will work closely with producers and other department heads to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, fostering a collaborative and innovative studio culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the overall artistic and creative direction for animated productions.
• Supervise and guide the animation team, providing clear feedback and technical direction throughout the production pipeline.
• Collaborate with storyboard artists, concept artists, and character designers to define visual styles and character performances.
• Review animation dailies, providing constructive criticism to ensure quality and consistency.
• Work with the production team to manage schedules, resources, and ensure timely delivery of assets.
• Contribute to the development of new animation techniques and workflows to enhance efficiency and artistic output.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an Animation Director or Lead Animator on multiple animated projects.
• Strong understanding of animation principles , character performance, cinematography, and visual storytelling.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic talent and directing capabilities in animation.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site collaboration with remote flexibility.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Access to cutting-edge animation technology and tools.
• Opportunities to work on diverse and exciting animation projects in Tembisa .
• Generous leave allowance and professional development opportunities.