Lead Animator

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 3 May 2026
LOCATION
Oxford
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Creative & Design
This role is not offered with visa sponsorship, though the employer is a licensed UK sponsor

SKILLS

Animation Maya Blender Motion Capture Game Engine Animation Systems Leadership Communication Collaboration

FULL DESCRIPTION

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] is hiring a Lead Animator to help shape an unannounced title and be part of a major new project. This role can be based at any of our studios in Oxford, Warwick, or Runcorn.

[Employer hidden] offers a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, enhanced pension, and more.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a team of animators, setting benchmarks and best-practice workflows for creature and character, viewport animation.
  • Working with the creature and viewport animators, balancing creative goals with production realities and gameplay needs.
  • Collaborate with Art, Design, Programming, Tech Animation to integrate animation seamlessly into game engines and PBR pipelines.
  • Create high-quality, in-game animations that meet style guides and technical constraints; review and give actionable feedback.
  • Working with production, helping to make sure the project has the correct visibility and that all work is tracked and meets the project needs.

Requirements

  • A strong understanding of creature and viewport motions (locomotion, combat, behaviours), using the core principles of animation.
  • Mastery of industry tools such as Maya and Blender, plus solid knowledge of game-engine animation systems.
  • Previous experience with motion capture pipelines: planning, directing, cleaning, fixing, and polishing data to a shippable standard is a plus.
  • Strong collaboration with art direction, tech anim, and code to help guide the animators to produce shippable content.
  • Solid understanding of data structures and production pipelines; able to diagnose and resolve animation/technical issues efficiently.
  • Proven leadership experience: delegating tasks, mentoring animators, and maintaining team morale and performance.
  • Clear communicator who can present direction, reviews, and status to stakeholders and external partners.

Benefits

  • 22 days holidays + Christmas closure & Bank holidays (increasing with service)
  • Private Medical Insurance, healthcare cash plan, including dental and Vision
  • Life Assurance, Income Protection & Critical Illness Cover
  • Enhanced Family Leave
  • Interest Free, Tax-Free loans
  • Enhanced Pension Scheme
  • EAP a range of Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
  • Plus loads more… including a wide range of discounts, freebies, and social events!

[Employer hidden] does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law.

View our privacy notice.

Sign up free — access 45,000+ UK sponsor-licensed jobs