Lead Animator

About the Role

Our client is seeking an inspiring and experienced Lead Animator to guide their animation team in Bradford . This role is crucial for setting the quality bar and directing the animation style for a variety of exciting interactive media projects. You will be responsible for overseeing the animation pipeline, mentoring animators, and ensuring that all character and environmental animations meet the highest standards of quality and performance. This is a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned animator to take on a leadership role and significantly influence the visual storytelling of our client's products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of animators to achieve exceptional quality in character and environmental animation.
• Establish and maintain animation standards, workflows, and best practices across projects.
• Create high-quality character and prop animations, demonstrating strong understanding of principles like timing, weight, and appeal.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and directors to ensure animation aligns with gameplay and narrative requirements.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on animations from team members, ensuring consistency and polish.
• Troubleshoot animation-related technical issues and work with engineers to implement solutions.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in character animation, with a significant portion in a lead or senior role within the games or animation industry.
• Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, including posing, timing, weight, and expressive performance.
• Experience with animation pipelines and integrating animations into game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• A strong portfolio showcasing high-quality animation work for a variety of characters and styles.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead a talented team and shape the animation style for projects in Bradford .
• Access to cutting-edge animation tools and technology.
• Generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive studio culture that values creativity and teamwork.