Team Lead Animator

What you'll do

• Support and drive AAA quality standards for the animation team;
• Work with Directors and Production Management team on animation style and quality expectations;
• Collaborate with our other project function and studio teams.
• Create, prioritize, assign, and regularly follow up on tasks and the advancement of the team’s work with regards to deliverables;
• Represent the team;
• Organize and lead team meetings and/or reviews with directors;
• Know the game’s story and narrative gameplay (through game design documents) and understand the technical/artistic constraints so as to be able to lead and coach the team;
• Draft regular reports for the Production Management team on the advancement of the team’s work and recommend corrective measures whenever necessary to meet project objectives;
• For the team, anticipate and recognize potential conflicts and recommend solutions to the Production Management team;
• Be a mentor in terms of technical/artistic aspects for team members (where necessary);
• Take part in performance assessments in collaboration with the Production Management team;
• Coordinate bug correction as it pertains to the team’s work;
• Help recruit, manage and mentor team members;
• Ensure that new employees integrate the team;
• Support and drive the strategy of Animation pipeline, tools and processes;
• Carry out working unit-related tasks (depending on the size of the team the incumbent must supervise);
• Perform any other related tasks.

Requirements

What you bring

• Strong hands-on understanding of animation software applications (3D Studio Max and Motionbuilder), principles and fundamentals;
• Leadership: Having managerial courage, self-driven with a sense of initiative;
• Ability to assemble productive teams;
• Time and priority management;
• Resourcefulness in problem-solving;
• Stress and change management skills;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Knowledge of the other game production working units an asset;
• Flexibility in organizing work and an ability to delegate;
• Database knowledge an asset (JIRA, Perforce, etc.);
• Knowledge of the technical constraints of real time, 3D engines and level editors;
• Resourceful in pushing innovation, optimization and new ideas;
• Knowledge of the tools used by team members;
• Project management knowledge an asset;
• Knowledge of the MS Office suite an asset;
• 5+ years’ experience in animation or other relevant experience;
• 2+ years of experience in a team lead, supervisory, management role or other relevant experience;
• Degree in animation or area of expertise for video games;
• Certification in project management or equivalent is an asset.