Regional | Lead 3D Character Animator

Regional Only | Lead 3D Character Animator About The Role

Our Lead 3D Character Animator are fantastic storytellers and excellent motivators. Their day‑to‑day focuses on managing their team, delivering characterful animated performances, expert comedic timing, charming acting choices, and maintaining production deadlines while meeting the brief from Directors and Clients.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications. The successful candidates will need to be based regionally in the UK – outside of the M25 – ideally within commutable distance to our Brighton Zoo studio, but this is not essential.

The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and will require the right to work in the UK.

• Leading a team of animators and regularly communicating with the Head of Animation.
• Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
• Arranging daily catch‑ups with your team to ensure they are on track and aware of their deadlines.
• Flagging to the Head of Animation and Production in advance if there are potential issues with deadlines or workload.
• Ensuring your work communicates the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
• Responding positively to, and acting on, notes and feedback from Directors.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced members of the team.
• Acting as a good role model for your team. Achieving high‑quality work in the time given and responding well to fixes.
• Talking up and down the pipeline to other Supervisors and Leads, troubleshooting any issues, and keeping Production and the Head of Animation aware where appropriate.
• Mentoring the team and helping with their development, including participating in your team’s review sessions.
• Updating the Head of Animation on the team’s progress and communicating any concerns regarding the team’s performance and wellbeing.

Must Have:

• Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character.
• Advanced understanding of Maya or similar software.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback and respond to direction.
• Excellent time management and prioritising skills.
• Great communication and a motivational team leader, naturally sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members.
• Demonstrable experience of being a team player and great collaborator.
• Excellent creative problem‑solving skills.
• Problem‑solving skills to find the best approach to meeting the brief as well as troubleshooting issues and asking questions if unsure.
• Confidence in working independently. Being diligent, taking initiative and being reliable.
• Being organised and managing yours and your team’s time efficiently.
• Ability to help and support your team, contributing to the development and growth of your team members e.g. supporting already defined goals and giving clear direction in line with Animation Director’s requests.

• Previous experience as a Lead Animator on an animation production.
• Python or Mel script knowledge.
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).
• Shotgun or FTrack.
• Understanding of a 3D production pipeline.

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world‑class reputation as the go‑to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way! Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work.

• Winner of Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
• Inclusive self‑funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in‑person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi‑monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).