Senior Animation Director - 3D Character Animation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement planning

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Paarl studio

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director in Paarl to lead the 3D character animation team. You will define the animation style, guide performances, and ensure technical excellence across the production pipeline.

You will mentor animators, collaborate with directors and storyboard teams, and oversee from blocking to final polish within a hybrid on-site and remote framework. A strong portfolio and leadership track record are essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in 3D character animation for film, TV, or games.
• At least 3 years in a directorial or lead animator role.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, character performance, and storytelling.
• Portfolio or demo reel showing directing and character work.
• Proficient in Maya; experience with performance capture is a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate directorial vision into compelling character performances.
• Define animation style and quality benchmarks for the project.
• Oversee animation from blocking to final polish with consistency.
• Collaborate with directors, story supervisors, and layout artists.
• Provide clear feedback to animators to foster growth.
• Ensure emotionally resonant, visually engaging, technically sound performances.
• Manage animation schedules and workflows with production management.
• Review dailies and direct revisions; stay updated on new techniques.

Skills

3D character animation

Directing

Leadership

Maya

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation

Fine Arts or related field

Tools

Maya

Motion capture

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed animation studio based in Paarl, Western Cape , is seeking an accomplished Senior Animation Director to lead their 3D character animation team. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for defining and delivering the highest standards of character performance and storytelling through animation. You will guide animators in bringing characters to life, ensuring emotional depth, personality, and technical excellence in every frame. The ideal candidate will possess a strong artistic vision, a deep understanding of animation principles, and a proven track record of directing successful animated projects. You will collaborate closely with directors, story artists, and other department leads to achieve the creative goals of the project. This hybrid role allows for strategic on-site leadership and flexible remote contributions to team management and creative reviews. You will play a key role in shaping the visual narrative and artistic quality of our client's acclaimed productions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and inspire the 3D character animation team throughout the production pipeline. Translate directorial vision and script requirements into compelling character performances. Define the animation style and quality benchmarks for the project. Oversee the animation process from blocking through to final polish, ensuring consistency and excellence. Collaborate with directors, story supervisors, and layout artists to block and refine character actions. Provide clear and constructive feedback to animators, fostering their growth and artistic development. Ensure character performances are emotionally resonant, visually engaging, and technically sound. Manage animation schedules and workflow, working closely with production management. Review animation dailies and provide direction for revisions. Contribute to character development and storyboarding sessions as needed. Stay abreast of the latest advancements in animation techniques and technology.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of experience in 3D character animation for film, television, or games, with at least 3 years in a directorial or lead animator role. Exceptional understanding of animation principles, character performance, acting, and cinematography. Proven ability to direct and guide animation teams to achieve high-quality results. Strong portfolio or demo reel showcasing outstanding character animation and directing work. Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya. Experience with performance capture and its integration into animation pipelines is a plus. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Ability to provide clear and actionable feedback. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex creative challenges. Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. A passion for storytelling and creating memorable characters.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and retirement planning assistance. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, including workshops and training in the latest animation techniques. The hybrid work model provides flexibility. You will work within a collaborative and creative studio environment in the picturesque setting of Paarl, Western Cape , contributing to world-class animated content. This is a prime opportunity for a seasoned animation leader to shape the future of character performance in animation.