Senior Animation Director for Feature Films

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and dental benefits

Pension fund

Paid vacation time

Relocation assistance to Cape Town

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Animation Director for its Cape Town studio. You will guide artistic and technical direction of animated sequences for high-profile feature films, shaping character performance and storytelling through movement.

Lead a team of animators, collaborate with story, art direction and editorial, develop workflows, review dailies, manage schedules, and push creative boundaries with innovative techniques.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in feature film animation, with a significant portion in a directorial or lead role.
• Proven track record of directing animation for at least two major feature films.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender).
• Strong understanding of the entire animation pipeline from modeling to final rendering.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate and manage a large team of artists.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional animation direction and character performance.
• Degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct all aspects of character animation for assigned film projects, ensuring adherence to the director's vision and the film's overall style.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing feedback, technical support, and creative problem-solving.
• Collaborate closely with story, art direction, and editorial departments to refine character performance and narrative delivery.
• Develop and implement animation workflows and pipelines, ensuring efficiency and artistic integrity.
• Review animation dailies, providing constructive criticism and guidance to animators.
• Ensure character performances are compelling, emotionally resonant, and consistent with established personalities.
• Manage schedules and resources for the animation team, ensuring timely delivery of shots.
• Contribute to character design and development phases to ensure animability and emotional range.
• Champion innovation and explore new techniques in animation to push creative boundaries.

Skills

Character animation principles

Leadership

Storytelling through movement

Team management

Narrative direction

Portfolio

Education

Degree in Animation or Fine Arts

Tools

Maya

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned animation studio based in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape , is looking for an experienced and visionary Senior Animation Director. This is a leadership position responsible for guiding the artistic and technical direction of animated sequences for high-profile feature film projects. The ideal candidate will have a profound understanding of character performance, storytelling through movement, and the entire animation pipeline. You will inspire and manage a team of animators, providing clear creative direction and technical guidance to ensure the highest standards of quality and emotional impact. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to leave your mark on visually stunning films and contribute to the legacy of animation excellence from our beautiful Cape Town studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct all aspects of character animation for assigned film projects, ensuring adherence to the director's vision and the film's overall style.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators, providing feedback, technical support, and creative problem-solving.
• Collaborate closely with story, art direction, and editorial departments to refine character performance and narrative delivery.
• Develop and implement animation workflows and pipelines, ensuring efficiency and artistic integrity.
• Review animation dailies, providing constructive criticism and guidance to animators.
• Ensure character performances are compelling, emotionally resonant, and consistent with established personalities.
• Manage schedules and resources for the animation team, ensuring timely delivery of shots.
• Contribute to character design and development phases to ensure animability and emotional range.
• Champion innovation and explore new techniques in animation to push creative boundaries.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in feature film animation, with a significant portion in a directorial or lead animation role.
• Proven track record of successfully directing animation for at least two major feature films.
• Expertise in character animation principles, performance, and storytelling.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender).
• Strong understanding of the entire animation pipeline from modeling to final rendering.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively motivate and manage a large team of artists.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional animation direction and character performance.
• Degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience working with performance capture data is a plus.

Benefits

• This position includes a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical and dental benefits, a generous pension fund, and paid vacation time.
• Our client also offers relocation assistance for candidates moving to Cape Town , opportunities for professional development, and a dynamic, collaborative studio environment renowned for fostering creativity and innovation.
• Employees have access to cutting-edge technology and are encouraged to attend industry events.
• Performance bonuses are also part of the compensation package.