3D Animator Director

At Devoted Studios, we are a codev studio specializing in production management and external development for video games. Our goal is to create conditions and tools to empower decentralized game production and provide a level playing field for global talent to contribute to their dream game projects. By decentralizing game development, we aim to create equal opportunities for all. We work in partnership with over 1400 programmers, artists, and designers, ranging from freelancers to small studios, located across the globe. Our role involves not only matching them with project opportunities but also overseeing the entire production process from start to finish.

*This is a remote, full-time contracted position and we are hiring worldwide!

We are currently seeking a talented and experienced 3D Animator Director to join our team!
As the Animator Director you will be responsible for overseeing the art team and ensuring the high-quality delivery of captivating animations for game development projects.

Job Overview:

We are looking for a talented and experienced 3D Animation Director to join our team. In this role, you will lead and oversee the creation of diverse and dynamic animations for a wide range of gaming projects. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of various animation styles, a strong creative vision, and the ability to manage a team of animators to deliver top-quality work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Leadership: Lead the 3D animation team in the creation of high-quality animations for characters, creatures, environments, and more, ensuring that they align with the project’s artistic vision and style.
• Diverse Animation Styles: Bring expertise in a variety of animation styles, from realistic to stylized, to suit the needs of different projects and clients. Guide the team in adapting to these styles as needed.
• Project Management: Oversee the animation process from concept to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. Collaborate closely with other departments, including art, design, and programming, to ensure seamless integration of animations.
• Mentorship and Development: Provide guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for the animation team. Foster a creative and productive work environment.
• Client Collaboration: Work directly with clients to understand their vision and requirements, and ensure that the final animations exceed their expectations. Communicate regularly with clients to provide updates and gather feedback.
• Technical Expertise: Stay up-to-date with the latest animation tools, techniques, and industry trends. Implement and refine workflows that optimize efficiency and quality in the animation process.
• Quality Assurance: Review and critique animations to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality. Provide constructive feedback to the team to help them achieve excellence.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in 3D animation, with at least 2 years in a leadership or director role within the gaming industry.
• Expertise: Proficiency in a variety of animation styles, with a strong portfolio showcasing your work in both realistic and stylized animations.
• Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of industry-standard animation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and inspire a team of animators, with excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Communication: Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with both internal teams and external clients.
• Creativity: A passion for storytelling through animation, with a keen eye for detail and a drive for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with US-Based Art Directors: Work closely with US-based ADs to ensure the highest quality of production, ensuring all deliverables are on time and within budget.
• Project Leadership: Lead and coordinate efforts with the Art Director, Lead Artist, and 3D Modeler to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Quality Improvement: Continuously work with the internal team to enhance the quality of projects, implementing feedback and driving excellence.
• Change Management: Communicate in advance with the Producer if any Change Requests are needed or if the project is deviating from initial estimates, providing clear reasoning and justifications.
• Team Guidance: Provide guidance and support to the team to help them stay on track. Offer strategies to speed up production, optimize workflows, and solve any issues that arise.
• Process Optimization: Constantly seek ways to optimize production processes and reduce costs without compromising quality.
• Standardization and Onboarding: Support the creation of unified production requirements and streamline the onboarding processes for freelancers by developing design manuals and instructional videos.
• Proposal and Estimate Creation: Produce proposals, estimates, and templates to facilitate project planning and execution.
• Talent Sourcing: When new requests arise, review the talent database and suggest the most suitable artists for the production.
• RFP Development: Based on client materials, create clear RFPs for the Producer to send to vendors. Provide average estimates for projects and review vendor submissions, offering recommendations for the best-fit vendors.
• Documentation Interpretation: Interpret external documentation and feedback for the production team to ensure alignment with client expectations.
• Vendor Compliance and Feedback: Ensure that vendor submissions comply with Client Delivery Guidelines, Specifications, and Submission documents. Review deliveries, provide feedback, and confirm that all required fixes are incorporated.
• QA and Process Streamlining: Develop QA checklists for vendors to submit with their deliveries, simplifying the review process for Devoted.
• Freelance Team Building: Build teams of freelance artists across different disciplines and create internal guides to support them.
• Brand Development: Drive the development of Devoted’s brand among artists and the broader creative community.
• Skill Assessment: Design tests to quickly assess the skills of new artists, ensuring they are well-suited for project requirements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a 3D Animator in the game development industry.
• Proven experience leading and managing animation teams, with a strong portfolio showcasing your animation skills.
• Expertise in industry-standard animation software, such as Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Proficient in character and object rigging and able to create and implement complex animation systems.
• Strong understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, and weight.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot animation-related issues.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to provide clear feedback and guidance to team members.
• Passionate about game development and dedicated to creating visually impressive and immersive animations.
• Strong commitment to practices, transparency, teamwork, and motivation.

• Strong and enthusiastic team – you will have the opportunity for knowledge sharing, learning, and professional self-development
• Interesting and challenging tasks – solve diverse and difficult issues, communicate with people within the company as well as with our partners;
• Convenient working conditions – remote work, the opportunity to build your own working day with flexible working hours
• А chance to work in a highly professional and dynamic team working with a wide range of International Game Production projects, attractive remuneration package, and opportunities to develop professionally.