Principal Animator

Creative Assembly is looking for a PrincipalAnimator to work on our highly successful, multi award‑winning Total War series.

Key Responsibilities

• Animation Vision: Work with internal and external stakeholders to define and set benchmarks for animation style and quality.
• Animation Expertise: Create high‑quality keyframe and/or motion capture animations that enhance gameplay.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration: Work across disciplines to devise new systems and ensure animations support gameplay mechanics.
• Pipeline & Tools: Help define and improve animation workflows, tools, and pipelines to optimize efficiency and quality.
• Outsourcing Management: Manage the end‑to‑end process for outsourced animation, ensuring consistent artistic quality and alignment with style and technical standards. Maintain clear communication and documentation with vendors, provide actionable feedback, and coordinate closely with production to meet schedules and milestones.
• Mentor & Inspire: Provide creative and technical mentorship to the internal animation team, fostering growth and excellence.

Essential Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of animation pipelines
• Excellent problem‑solving skills
• Strong hand‑key animation skills for both human and creature characters
• Excellent communication skills and a proven track record of cross‑discipline collaboration
• In‑depth knowledge of game development workflows and mechanics
• Motion capture experience

Desirable Qualifications

• Interest in Total War/Strategy games
• Submit a showreel link with your application to be considered for this role (links to online drives will not be accepted)

Benefits

• Work from anywhere for a temporary period each year (restrictions apply such as VISAs)
• Enhanced holiday allowance, maternity and paternity breaks, flexibility with our core hours, and no‑notice holidays
• Bespoke relocation package for you and your dependents
• Private medical and dental insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, critical illness cover and free health care screening
• Generous holiday allowance plus full studio closure over the Christmas and New Year period, and all bank holidays
• Join our Diversity and Inclusion Network – an employee‑led group
• Season ticket travel loans and cycle‑to‑work scheme with free bike servicing and discounted car valet service on site
• Wellbeing support and virtual confidential counselling
• Community activities including parties, football and more.
• Our studio sites have disabled access.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.