Senior Animation Director

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Generous PTO

Professional development

Cutting-edge tech

Remote-friendly culture

Global projects

Team events

Home office stipend

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director for a leading digital content studio. This fully remote, permanent role allows you to shape artistic direction and guide a talented team across projects in South Africa.

You will mentor animators, storyboard artists, and technical directors, ensuring high-quality storytelling from concept to delivery while staying ahead of industry trends. A strong portfolio and leadership in remote teams are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in animation direction or supervisory roles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation direction and storytelling across various styles.
• Expertise in 3D animation software (Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and familiarity with 2D animation principles.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, cinematography, composition, and color theory.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide diverse creative teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment is highly advantageous.
• Ability to adapt to fast-paced production schedules and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Film, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to achieving the highest standards of artistic excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate the overall artistic vision and animation style for various projects, ensuring alignment with client briefs and brand guidelines.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing constructive feedback and technical guidance throughout the production pipeline.
• Oversee the animation process from pre-visualization and storyboarding to final rendering and compositing.
• Collaborate closely with other directors, producers, and art department leads to ensure seamless integration of animation into the broader production.
• Conduct regular reviews of animation assets, ensuring adherence to quality standards, timing and character performance.
• Manage animation team schedules and workloads, ensuring timely delivery of assets while maintaining high-quality output.
• Stay abreast of the latest animation techniques, software, and industry trends, introducing innovative approaches where appropriate.
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding of new animation talent.
• Effectively communicate creative ideas and feedback to both artistic and non-artistic stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex animation challenges that may arise during production.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Storytelling

Creative direction

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation/Film or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading digital content creation studio, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Senior Animation Director to join their dynamic and innovative team. This is a fully remote, permanent position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. As the Senior Animation Director, you will be instrumental in shaping the artistic direction and ensuring the exceptional quality of our animated projects. You will guide and inspire a talented team of animators, storyboard artists, and technical directors, fostering a collaborative and creative environment. Your passion for storytelling and visual excellence will drive the success of our animated productions, from initial concept through to final delivery. This role is perfect for a seasoned professional looking to make a significant impact in a remote-first setting, contributing to groundbreaking projects that reach a global audience. You will have the opportunity to mentor junior talent and elevate the animation standards across the company, all while enjoying the benefits of a flexible work arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate the overall artistic vision and animation style for various projects, ensuring alignment with client briefs and brand guidelines.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing constructive feedback and technical guidance throughout the production pipeline.
• Oversee the animation process from pre-visualization and storyboarding to final rendering and compositing.
• Collaborate closely with other directors, producers, and art department leads to ensure seamless integration of animation into the broader production.
• Conduct regular reviews of animation assets, ensuring adherence to quality standards, timing and character performance.
• Manage animation team schedules and workloads, ensuring timely delivery of assets while maintaining high-quality output.
• Stay abreast of the latest animation techniques, software, and industry trends, introducing innovative approaches where appropriate.
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding of new animation talent.
• Effectively communicate creative ideas and feedback to both artistic and non-artistic stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex animation challenges that may arise during production.

Requirements

• Proven track record with 7+ years of experience in animation direction or supervisory roles within the animation industry.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional animation direction, character performance, and visual storytelling across various styles and mediums.
• Expertise in 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and familiarity with 2D animation principles and software.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, cinematography, composition, and color theory.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide diverse creative teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, capable of articulating creative concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment is highly advantageous.
• Ability to adapt to fast-paced production schedules and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Film, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to achieving the highest standards of artistic excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and software.
• A supportive and collaborative remote work culture that values creativity and innovation.
• The chance to work on diverse and exciting international projects.
• Regular virtual team-building activities and social events.
• Company-provided equipment or a generous stipend for home office setup.
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for career advancement within the company.