Senior Animation Director - VFX

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,499,000 - 2,499,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Global team collaboration

Prestigious projects

Cutting-edge tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Animation Director to guide artistic vision and execution of complex animation for film, TV, and interactive media. The role is fully remote, collaborating with a global, distributed team on prestigious projects.

We are looking for a leader with 10+ years in animation, a strong reel, and deep knowledge of Maya/Houdini, cinematography, and storytelling. You will manage a remote team and ensure on-time delivery within budget.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in animation with directing or lead roles in VFX.
• Strong reel showing animation direction, character performance and storytelling.
• Proficient in 3D software (Maya, Houdini) and rigging principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the animation department with artistic leadership and technical guidance.
• Define animation style, character performance and storytelling with directors and clients.
• Develop and implement animation pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
• Review animation assets for quality, consistency and project specs.
• Lead and mentor a remote team of animators for collaboration and productivity.
• Ensure timely delivery of animation sequences within deadlines and budgets.

Skills

Animation leadership

Maya

Houdini

Director/Lead Animator

Team management

Cinematography

Storytelling

Communication

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge visual effects studio recognized for its groundbreaking work, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Animation Director . This leadership position is responsible for guiding the artistic vision and execution of complex animation sequences for film, television, and interactive media. You will collaborate closely with VFX supervisors, CG supervisors, and artists to ensure the highest quality of animated content that meets project requirements and artistic goals. This fully remote role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute your expertise to prestigious projects from anywhere, working within a globally distributed, highly talented team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the animation department, providing artistic leadership and technical guidance.
• Collaborate with directors and clients to define the animation style, character performance, and storytelling for projects.
• Develop and implement animation pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animation assets, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to project specifications.
• Lead and mentor a team of animators, fostering a collaborative and productive remote work environment.
• Ensure timely delivery of animation sequences within project deadlines and budgets.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in animation, with a significant portion in a directing or lead animator role within VFX.
• A strong reel showcasing exceptional animation direction, character performance, and visual storytelling.
• Expertise in 3D animation software (e.g., Maya, Houdini) and animation rigging principles.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate diverse teams in a remote setting.
• Deep understanding of cinematography, storytelling, and character development.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for project-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to work on world-class visual effects projects for major studios.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools.
• A collaborative and innovative global team environment.