Senior Animation Director - 3D Feature Films

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Híbrido; ZAR 1.000.000 - 1.800.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Professional growth via workshops and

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director in Bloemfontein to lead a team of 3D animators and shape feature film animation with a strong storytelling focus.

You will define animation style, mentor artists, and ensure cinematic quality from blocking to final polish, collaborating with Directors and storyboard artists in a hybrid on-site/off-site setup.

Formación

• 10+ years of 3D animation experience with 5+ years in supervisory or directorial roles on feature films or high-end animated series.
• Portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation and directorial vision.
• Strong knowledge of animation principles, character acting, cinematography, and filmmaking.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and inspire a team of 3D animators, providing clear direction and constructive feedback to achieve artistic excellence.
• Define and implement the animation style and quality standards for feature film projects.
• Collaborate with the Director, Art Director, and Storyboard Artists to translate scripts and storyboards into animated sequences.
• Oversee the animation process from blocking to final polish, ensuring believable character performance.
• Conduct regular reviews of animation dailies, providing notes on performance, timing, and technical execution.
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level animators, fostering their development.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges and develop innovative solutions to achieve desired results.
• Ensure animation work is delivered on time and within budget, coordinating with production management.
• Maintain understanding of character rigging, modeling, and rendering pipelines to guide the team.
• Contribute to the studio's creative vision and success of film productions.

Conocimientos

Character animation

Leadership

Storytelling

Communication

Mentoring

Animation direction

Team collaboration

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Animation

Equivalent professional experience

Herramientas

Maya

Blender

ZBrush

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a renowned animation studio in Bloemfontein , is seeking an accomplished Senior Animation Director with a passion for storytelling and a masterful command of 3D animation. This leadership role is critical in guiding the animation team to deliver exceptional character performance and visual artistry for upcoming feature film projects. You will be responsible for setting the animation style, mentoring animators, and ensuring the highest quality output that aligns with the director's vision and the studio's artistic standards. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of character acting, timing, and cinematic principles. This Hybrid position requires you to be on-site in Bloemfontein for collaborative sessions and key directorial moments, while offering flexibility for remote work on certain aspects of the creative process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of 3D animators, providing clear direction and constructive feedback to achieve artistic excellence.
• Define and implement the animation style and quality standards for feature film projects.
• Collaborate closely with the Director, Art Director, and Storyboard Artists to translate scripts and storyboards into compelling animated sequences.
• Oversee the animation process from blocking to final polish, ensuring character performance is believable and emotionally resonant.
• Conduct regular reviews of animation dailies, providing specific notes on performance, timing, and technical execution.
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level animators, fostering their artistic development and technical skills.
• Troubleshoot animation challenges and develop innovative solutions to achieve desired results.
• Ensure animation work is delivered on time and within budget, coordinating with production management.
• Maintain a strong understanding of character rigging, modeling, and rendering pipelines to effectively guide the team.
• Contribute to the overall creative vision and success of the studio's film productions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in 3D animation, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or directorial role on feature films or high-end animated series.
• Demonstrable portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation skills and directorial vision.
• In-depth knowledge of animation principles, character acting, cinematography, and filmmaking.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, ZBrush).
• Experience with motion capture data cleanup and integration is a plus.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear, actionable feedback and foster a positive, collaborative team environment.
• Understanding of the full animation pipeline, from pre-production to final delivery.
• Passion for storytelling and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of animated filmmaking.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, with a top annual earning potential of ZAR, reflecting your extensive experience and talent. This Hybrid role provides a flexible work arrangement, balancing critical on-site collaboration in our Bloemfontein studio with remote work flexibility. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, and ample paid time off. We also offer opportunities for professional growth through workshops and conferences, along with access to cutting-edge animation technology. Join a world-class team and help create the next generation of animated masterpieces.