Animation Supervisor

**POSITION PURPOSE**

The Animation Supervisor will lead by example, deliver briefs and set the quality standards for all animation work completed. They will review and finalize all frames before submission. They will coach, guide and provide feedback to artists ensuring detailed and high quality work is delivered to Image Engine clients. Animation Supervisors will be responsible for employee performance management and supervision.

Equally, the Animation Supervisor will establish themselves as a key member of the leadership team and will build relationships with all Image Engine Supervisors and Leads. They will leverage their relationships with department Supervisors to build cross-departmental efficiencies. They will communicate with the Leads and Producers to develop cost effective bids to assist Image Engine procure new business opportunities.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Responsible for supervising a team of animators to execute high-end quality animation on a project by project basis
- Actively involved in bidding, reviewing the scope of work and assigning tasks based on artist skills/abilities
- Act as a creative Lead working closely with Supervisors and Clients to execute the story and binding physics involved
- Manage workflow to balance production schedules and employee resources
- Communicate artist surplus or deficits to ensure profit and loss margins are maximized
- Utilize effective communication skills to receive client notes and deliver instructions/feedback to artists
- Ensure quality standards are met by administering final quality control checks for all artist’s work
- Provide recommendations/technical solutions for effective task completion
- Complete all quality control for animation submitted for review for artistic problems (e.g. bad poses, character being off model, crashing, etc.)
- Design and develop procedural and innovative tool sets, pipelines and techniques for the Animation team
- Communicate with other departments and provide solutions to technical issues
- Attend and coordinate meetings with other departments
- Assist Animators who are having trouble working with the animation rig as needed
- Work with the rigging department to solve problems with rigs (including requesting new animation tools or revising an animation rig)
- Animate dynamic, believable and appealing characters/non-character assets
- Attend dailies, reviews, and team meetings as required
- Interview, select and train artists
- Engage in the performance management process such as performance reviews, daily feedback, and mentoring

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**
- 10+ years’ experience in Animation digital VFX for film
- 2 years of experience as a Supervisor
- Experience with leading teams on large projects
- Demonstrated expert knowledge of traditional animation principles, acting, film production and compositional design
- Ability to animate multiple types of character/non-character assets from simple to complex
- Strong visual storyteller and well-versed in cinematography: camera angles, composition and continuity
- Excellent attention to detail when finalizing, approving or quality controlling work
- Ability to balance quick turnaround while achieving a high degree of aesthetic quality

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**

**Technical skills**
- Ability to train and coach artists in animation techniques and best practice
- Strong aptitude for technical workflow challenges such as directory structure, file formats, naming conventions, scripts, automation tools, automated dailies, etc.
- Excellent eye for detail for quality control

**Core skills**
- Ability to help with bidding; determine the timeframe and scope required for each project
- Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities and projects
- Capable of managing a team of artists; setting expectations, and managing their time
- Ability to assess artist’s strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks and manage workflow
- Strong leadership skills
- Excellent time management and communication skills
- Ability to remain calm during peak production periods and maintain the morale of the animation team