Lead Animator

Keywords Studios, the leading provider of technical and creative services to the global gaming industry, boasts over 13,000 staff across 70+ studios spanning 26 countries, serving over 950 clients worldwide.

One of our Australia studios is seeking a Lead Animator for one of our Melbourne studios.

As  Lead Animator, you will provide leadership to the animation team on projects, acting as a lead artist as needed based on project complexity. Conducts first-level animation reviews and may engage in hands-on development work if necessary, including creating animations from scratch or refining artists' work. Supports the project team by establishing workflows, clarifying client requirements, and assisting with effort estimates and bids. Resolves project issues by collaborating with animation artists, and project managers, ensuring focus on productivity, quality, and timelines.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Skilled at creating high quality 3D Animations, rigging and keyframing
• Skilled at using industry standard software such as Maya, Max, Motion Builder, Blender. Having Unreal knowledge can act as an advantage.
• Good knowledge of In Game Animations / Cinematics creation pipeline. Knowledge of Cinematography, Creating Previz/Storyboards can act as advantages.
• Good knowledge of tools and techniques for efficient creation of 3D Animations for both Keyframe and Motion Capture.
• Some experience of playing a leadership role within the Animation team as well as with the outsourced team – deciphering client requirements and feedback, polishing animations, reviewing the work of others, and providing critical feedback etc.

Responsibilities

• Understand the client brief for the assigned work completely and thoroughly. Study client directions, specifications, and references thoroughly. Develop a very good understanding of the work complexity and of the quality required by the client.
• Work closely with the Senior/Junior animation artists / Leads to capture the team’s questions before the work is estimated or scheduled. Seeks clarification on the project work.
• Establish a production workflow for a project that can help the team to deliver good quality work in an efficient way, without subjecting the team to long work hours and unnecessary stress.
• Demonstrate leadership skills to communicate and lead the team to a course of action which may be difficult or unpopular, but which may be necessary for the achievement of project goals.

Benefits

Keywords Studios and our global network of independent studios offers a variety of benefits as per below:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Projects aligned with your expertise
• Collaborate with industry leaders on AAA titles
• Professional growth opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Relocation and visa support
• Dedicated to diversity and inclusion

Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Commitment: Keywords Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. If you require any adjustments during the process please let us know in your application. We are committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. We especially welcome applications from candidates of underrepresented groups in the industry.

By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice.

Role Information: EN

Studio: Keywords Studios

Location: Asia Pacific, Australia

Area of Work: Art Services

Service: Create

Employment Type: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid