Senior Animation Director (Remote)

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,329,000 - 1,994,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first environment

Global team access

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director to lead a global remote team of animators, riggers, and technical artists. You will shape visual storytelling, set the animation style, and drive projects from concept to final delivery.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in animation, a proven directing track record, and expertise in Maya or Blender. The role emphasizes strong communication and remote leadership capabilities to manage complex pipelines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in animation production
• 3+ years in leadership/directing roles
• Strong portfolio of character animation and storytelling
• Experience directing animation for feature films/TV or digital media
• Proven ability to manage remote teams

Responsibilities

• Provide artistic leadership for all animation sequences
• Develop and maintain animation style guides and quality standards
• Collaborate with Directors and Art Directors for cohesive storytelling
• Mentor remote animation teams and oversee pipeline
• Review and approve animation assets to meet quality benchmarks
• Contribute to character development and performance definitions

Skills

Leadership in animation

Directing animation

Team management (remote)

Character performance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Join Our client, a globally recognized leader in digital entertainment, as a Senior Animation Director, operating remotely from anywhere. This role is central to shaping the visual storytelling and artistic direction of our cutting-edge animated projects. You will guide and inspire a diverse team of animators, riggers, and technical artists to achieve unparalleled quality and creativity. The ideal candidate is a seasoned storyteller with a profound understanding of animation principles, character performance, and visual aesthetics, capable of driving ambitious projects from concept through to final delivery. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility to talented professionals worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide artistic leadership and direction for all animation sequences within assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain the overall animation style guide and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Directors, Art Directors, and other department leads to ensure cohesive visual storytelling.
• Guide and mentor animation teams, fostering a creative and collaborative remote work environment.
• Oversee the animation pipeline, identifying and resolving technical and creative challenges.
• Review and approve animation assets, ensuring they meet project requirements and quality benchmarks.
• Contribute to character development and performance definition.
• Stay abreast of emerging animation technologies and techniques.
• Manage animation schedules and resource allocation in coordination with producers.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in animation production, with at least 3 years in a leadership or directing role.
• Demonstrated success in directing animation for feature films, high-end television series, or equivalent digital media.
• Expertise in 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender) and relevant rendering engines.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character animation, visual storytelling, and directorial vision.
• Excellent understanding of anatomy, cinematography, and dramatic timing.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate remote teams effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback and technical direction.

Benefits

• Highly competitive contract rate, reflecting your expertise and leadership.
• Opportunity to work on visually stunning and globally distributed projects from the comfort of your home.
• Flexibility of a remote-first work environment.
• Access to a leading global team of creative professionals.
• Professional development and networking opportunities within the industry.
• Potential for long-term engagement based on project needs and performance.