Lead Gameplay Animator

Are you an experienced Lead Gameplay Animator with a passion for creating genre-defining experiences? Skillsearch is delighted to be working with an innovative Xbox Game Studio on the recruitment of a Lead Gameplay Animator. Our client, based in Leamington Spa, is focused on creating action RPG games that set new standards within the genre.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to manage and inspire a talented animation team, ensuring the delivery of exceptional gameplay animations that enhance the player experience while meeting technical and project goals.

In your first few weeks in this role, you can expect to:

Animation Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Art Director to establish and maintain high-quality animation benchmarks.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire the animation team, setting objectives, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Plan and prioritise animation tasks to balance quality with technical requirements and project deadlines.
• Support team growth through recruitment, skill development, and continuous process improvement.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Build strong relationships across departments, fostering communication to resolve challenges effectively.
• Collaborate with outsource partners to deliver high-quality animation assets.

Continuous Innovation:

• Drive improvements in animation tools, workflows, and techniques to maintain competitive standards.
• Ensure animations meet technical requirements, enhancing gameplay features like character movement, combat, and environmental interactions.

Background, Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Deep understanding of animation principles with proven expertise in industry-standard tools (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender).
• Substantial experience in gameplay animation, particularly in areas like character movement, combat, and environmental interactions.
• A successful track record of managing and mentoring animation teams in AAA game development or similar large-scale projects.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong leadership capabilities and the ability to inspire a creative team.
• Excellent communication skills and experience presenting to stakeholders.
• Technical proficiency in game engines, animation constraints, and motion capture integration.
• Adaptability to evolving project needs without compromising on quality.

Additional Information

Our client offers a permanent position at their state-of-the-art studio in Leamington Spa, with hybrid working arrangements (minimum of three days in the studio). Relocation assistance is available for successful candidates.

If this job motivates and inspires you, please contact Jay from Skillsearch at jrm@skillsearch.com today.

Here at Skillsearch, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with opportunities in the Games, Interactive, and Enterprise Systems industries globally. For over 30 years, we’ve helped people find rewarding roles in niche areas such as Workday, Oracle, VR, and eCommerce. Follow us to discover exciting jobs, stay updated on industry news, and connect with our dedicated team of consultants. Welcome to Skillsearch!

Years of experience and salary levels are shown purely as a guide. We will only consider applications from candidates that can demonstrate the skills or experience required for the role.

Please be aware that while we would love to respond to every application we receive, due to high numbers we cannot guarantee this. We do however appreciate any time you invest into the application and will make sure to get in touch should anything in future more closely fit your skillset.