Senior Animation Director (Remote)

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 2,501,000 - 3,501,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Competitive executive salary

Performance bonuses

Health, dental & vision insurance

Professional development funding

Conference attendance

Global collaboration tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director to shape the creative vision for award-winning projects. This remote role lets you lead and inspire animation teams from anywhere in the world.

You will guide the animation pipeline, set visual standards, and collaborate with writers and artists to define character performance, ensuring storytelling excellence and technical excellence across projects.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in animation with directorial or supervisory experience.
• Strong portfolio across film, TV, or games.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, performance and storytelling.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct animation teams through the entire pipeline.
• Establish and maintain visual style and quality standards.
• Collaborate with writers and artists to define character performance.
• Provide clear feedback to animators and supervisors.
• Oversee rigging, animation, and simulation processes for quality.
• Work with TDs to solve challenges and optimize workflows.
• Ensure on-time delivery within budget and creative integrity.
• Mentor the team and foster a positive remote creative environment.
• Review dailies and provide notes to guide the process.

Skills

Senior leadership

Remote collaboration

Creative direction

Team motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

Blender

Houdini

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking animation studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to the arts and entertainment industry, is seeking a visionary Senior Animation Director. This pivotal role is entirely remote, offering you the flexibility to lead and inspire animation teams from anywhere in the world. You will be responsible for guiding the creative vision and execution of animated projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality, artistry, and storytelling are met. We are looking for an experienced leader with a deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and visual storytelling, coupled with exceptional directorial and communication skills. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of successfully managing animation pipelines and motivating teams to achieve outstanding results. As a remote-first position, strong organizational skills, proficiency in digital collaboration tools, and the ability to foster a cohesive team spirit in a virtual environment are essential. This is an extraordinary opportunity to make a significant impact on cutting-edge animated content and advance your career on a global scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct animation teams through the entire animation pipeline, from pre-production to final output.
• Establish and maintain the visual style and quality standards for animated projects.
• Collaborate closely with writers, story artists, and other creative leads to define character performance and storytelling.
• Provide clear and constructive feedback to animators, supervisors, and other crew members.
• Oversee character rigging, animation, and simulation processes to ensure high-quality results.
• Work with technical directors to solve animation challenges and optimize workflows.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget while maintaining creative integrity.
• Contribute to the development of new animation techniques and technologies.
• Inspire and mentor the animation team, fostering a positive and productive creative environment.
• Review dailies and provide notes to guide the animation process.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in animation, with at least 5 years in a directorial or supervisory role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing successful animation direction across various projects, preferably within film, television, or video games.
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character acting, cinematography, and visual storytelling.
• Proficiency with industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, Houdini) and relevant tools.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage diverse creative teams in a remote setting.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience managing animation pipelines and workflows.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to artistic excellence.
• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and personal leave.
• Retirement savings plan with attractive company match.
• Fully remote position with global flexibility.
• Opportunities for significant creative input and artistic control.
• Access to cutting-edge animation software and pipeline tools.
• Professional development funding and conference attendance.
• Chance to work on award-winning and industry-defining projects.
• A supportive and collaborative virtual team culture within the arts and entertainment sphere.