A unique opportunity has arisen to develop, lead and grow the animation department at DNEG. This exciting role is a senior leadership position within DNEG and will report directly into the Global Head of Animation, along with the Senior Leadership Team in London. DNEG is putting animation; character and creature work at the forefront of its future plans, wanting to be known as the best animation studio in VFX for Film. After working on amazing creature focused shows such as Pacific Rim: Uprising and Venom, we are looking to build on this work and take our animation team to the next level.

We are looking for a Head of Animation with significant experience in Film VFX who has the ability to build, develop and maintain relationships that make DNEG the vendor of choice for the most desirable shows in the industry. You will also take the lead on managing and developing our industry-leading crew and oversee all operations within the department, focusing on the technical and creative process, whilst planning your time to maintain active supervision and animation tasks on our award winning work.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Creative and Technical

Accountable for:
Developing and supporting consistent department workflows and processes.
Design and development of standardised department workflows and processes for different types of work.
Ensuring the right tools, technology and workflows, within the available resources, are in place to deliver the highest quality work in an efficient manner.
Clearly communicating the technical requirements for input data from upstream departments.
Ensuring the department output meets the technical requirements provided by downstream departments.
Cross department communication and collaboration.
Implementing strategies to improve operational efficiency on an on-going basis.
Acting on the outcome of Show post mortems.

Contributes to:
Delivering creative realisation to the Client, VFX, Animation & DFX Supervisor and ensuring creative continuity across a Show.
Providing creative and technical leadership, support and feedback for all Department Supervisors and Artists.
Delivering the output of the department to the required technical quality standards.
Production Planning

Accountable for:
Managing communication across departments and Shows.
Maximising productivity across the department and across department dependencies.
Debriefing department crew after each Show and acting on the outcome of the debrief.

Contributes to:
Planning the division of work between locations.
Delivery plans and schedules for shows.
Ensuring work within the department is delivered according to the Show schedule.
Tracking and reporting Department Progress.
Talent Development and Training

Accountable for line management of department supervision and management team:
Career progression to fulfil the potential of all members of the department.
Recruitment, including reviewing applications, interviewing and providing conclusive summaries.
Probationary reviews, annual and on-going appraisals.
Performance management.
Succession planning to ensure key vacancies can be filled from within the department.
Providing accurate and detailed feedback on Department and DFX Supervisors to include in their appraisals.
Giving timely feedback to their Department Supervisors to support their growth and development.
Defining strategies for compensation and retention.
Design and implementing entry level positions and pathways within the department.
Implementing training plans to ensure artists are prepared for upcoming work.
Maintain department documentation and training.
Mentorship of Department Supervisors.
Team Management

Accountable for:
Providing DFX Supervisors with a comprehensive understanding of the skills and experience of the supervision team for their show.
Providing Department Supervisors with a comprehensive understanding of the skills and experience of their team.
Understanding the work and requirements per Show and ensuring each Show has the best possible team for their work.
Balancing the priorities and needs of all Shows and Artists.
Assigning Supervisors to Shows.
Planning and managing headcount.

Collaborates on:
Planning the ability for the Department to undertake future work.
Assigning Artists to appropriate roles.
Resolving conflicts of workflow approach between department teams.

Financial Accountable for:
Developing and maintaining a sustainable salary structure for the department.
Defining bidding guides and templates for work within the department.
Increasing profit margins through efficient techniques and processes.
Contributes to increasing profit margins through effective management of artist time.

Must Have
Deep understanding of animation within visual effects for film and/or television
Experience as a animation supervisor or animation director within a large scale VFX studio
Excellent client management skills, and a proven record of securing repeat business through pitch work and business development

About You
Highly creative with a strong technical background
Advanced negotiator with impeccable relationship management skills
An effective people coach, with a focus on team development
A desire to develop DNEG's approach to animation and deliver new content into the company
An absolute passion for animation and delivering the highest quality work at all times