Lead Animation & Motion Graphics Director

Overview

Aquent is recruiting for an experienced Lead Animation & Motion Graphics Director to join an entertainment company, operating in ww3 space. They are the market leaders in developing entertainment IP, building platforms and co-creating with the world’s biggest brands.

Looking for a driven person who will have the opportunity to build an award winning animation studio! Someone that constantly thinks how they can produce the best stuff they can.

Key Responsibilities:

• First mover: You will have a pivotal role in establishing a world-class design studio from the ground up.
• Lead Animation Production: Take ownership of all animation projects, from concept through to final execution, ensuring they meet the highest quality standards and align with the brand’s visual identity.
• Creative Collaboration: Work closely with the Director of Design to develop and execute the creative vision across all projects. Provide input and guidance on motion design concepts, style, and direction.
• Motion Graphics Design: Create dynamic and engaging motion graphics for a variety of platforms, including social media, brand films, and digital interfaces.
• Lottie Animation Development: Design and develop lightweight, scalable Lottie animations for use in web and mobile interfaces, ensuring smooth integration and optimal performance.
• Leadership and Mentorship: As the team grows, mentor junior animators and designers, sharing your expertise and fostering a collaborative, creative environment.
• Technical Expertise: Implement and oversee the technical aspects of animation, including rigging, keyframing, and rendering. Troubleshoot and solve any technical challenges that arise during production.
• Pipeline Development: Collaborate with the Director of Design to establish and refine animation workflows and pipelines, ensuring efficiency and scalability as the team expands.
• Experiment with new styles and techniques to ensure our visuals become market leading.
• Work alongside wider creative and studio teams to produce award-winning visuals
• Collaborate with top agencies around the world to guide projects in development.
• Have option to work in the studio in Notting Hill in London with our Director of Design.

Must Haves:

• Experience: Many years of experience in animation and motion design, with a proven track record of leading projects from concept to completion. Experience in a senior or lead role is highly preferred — we want to work with the best.
• Technical skills: Mastery of industry-standard animation software such as After Effects, Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar. Proficiency in Lottie animation creation and optimisation for web and mobile interfaces.
• Creative Vision: Strong creative instincts with the ability to translate brand identities into compelling visual narratives through animation.
• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality animation and motion graphics work across various platforms.
• Expert understanding of both 2D and 3D motion principles and video production.
• Adaptability: Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality.
• The design eye. You posses exceptional attention to detail, with a commitment to producing polished, professional animations that feel truly groundbreaking.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate ideas and feedback to internal teams.
• A genuine desire to add to the design world and establish as a design leader in the world of Web3
• An understanding of web3 technologies and blockchain principles — this can be learnt.
• Strong illustrative skills and confidence producing storyboards are a necessity.

Qualities:

• You are a hunter, you believe that anything can be achieved through tenacity and persistence.
• You are highly process and detail oriented, able to take both a 10,000 ft view and micro view at the same time, balancing quality and growth.
• You have experience and thrive in a start-up environment. Taking on an ambiguous concept, problem or product.
• You know how to build strong working relationships with internal & external stakeholders, building trust and confidence in your ability and processes of program delivery.
• You thrive in an intense, high pressure environment, working across multiple brands, programs and often countries to successfully deliver.
• Believes speed is a competitive advantage and strives to drive urgency across the org.