Animation Director (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Animation Director (Gamedev): Define and champion the overall animation vision for the game in partnership with leadership, researching and proposing animation styles that support the game's universe and goals. Focus on aligning animation team through guidance and mentorship, establishing workflows with Technical Directors, and ensuring cohesive animations that enhance gameplay, storytelling, and immersion.

Location: Office-based in Montreal, Canada or Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Company

Global leader in gaming creating original experiences from Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six to Just Dance.

What you will do

• Define and champion the overall animation vision in partnership with the leadership team.
• Research, explore, and propose animation styles supporting the game’s universe and goals.
• Align the animation team with the vision through clear references, guidance, and mentorship.
• Partner with Technical Directors to establish workflows, production processes, and tools.
• Assess animations from a player perspective for responsiveness, flow, and feel by playing the game frequently.
• Collaborate with Game Design, Art, and Narrative teams for cross-discipline cohesion.
• Review integrated animation work, provide constructive feedback and mentorship.
• Support team growth, professional development, and recruitment.

Requirements

• Strong expertise in game animation, character movement, and performance.
• Strong understanding of keyframe animation principles, Unreal Engine, production pipelines, and technical constraints.
• Proficiency with animation software such as Maya, 3ds Max, and MotionBuilder.
• Awareness of cross-discipline dependencies and impact of animation decisions.
• Player-focused mindset with sensitivity to gameplay, storytelling, and immersion.
• Ability to communicate a clear vision accessible to diverse teams.
• Collaborative leadership skills in mentoring and communication.
• Creative, adaptable, solution-oriented approach to production challenges.

Culture & Benefits

• Diverse perspectives to help players and teams thrive.
• Passion for innovation and pushing entertainment boundaries.