At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-end animation projects and elevate animation craft within a dynamic CGI team.
- Company: Join OLIVER, the world's first bespoke in-house agency, part of The Brandtech Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values creativity and sustainability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of animation with cutting-edge AI technology and creative collaboration.
- Qualifications: Proven animation experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences. As a part of The Brandtech Group, we're at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision-making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.
About the role: As part of the continued evolution of our CGI capability at Brandtech / Oliver, we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Lead - Animation to strengthen and elevate animation craft while contributing to the development of progressive, scalable CGI systems. Reporting directly to the Head of CGI, this role sits alongside other Senior Leads within the CGI function and plays a key part in shaping both creative standards and production methodologies across OEM and future client ecosystems.
This is a hands-on leadership role, with the Senior Lead - Animation contributing directly to high-end animation projects while setting the creative benchmark through example. Alongside animation delivery, the role contributes to how animation integrates into broader production systems - supporting workflow optimisation, tooling improvements, automation initiatives and emerging AI-supported processes. The role also contributes animation discipline insight into structured content frameworks and scalable production systems being developed within the studio.
The Senior Lead - Animation works collaboratively with the CGI Creative Lead to ensure animation intent aligns with overall creative direction, while partnering with technical leadership and the Lead AI Engineer to help shape intelligent, future-ready production methodologies. This role balances premium craft, team leadership and progressive technical thinking.
You will:
- Contribute directly to high-end animation across key projects
- Support the continued development of premium animation craft across cinematics and product storytelling
- Raise baseline quality and realism standards across the team
- Act as a collaborative bridge between Creative Direction and technical execution
- Contribute to workflow design, automation initiatives and pipeline evolution
- Work alongside AI and technical teams to explore next-generation production processes
- Provide structured line management and development support for assigned reports
- Contribute animation discipline insight into scalable content and system frameworks
You will operate as both a senior practitioner and a discipline lead within the CGI structure.
What you will be doing:
- Hands-On Animation Leadership: Lead and contribute to high-quality animation across cinematics, interactive experiences and product visualisation, modelling best practice through your own work.
- Discipline Development: Strengthen animation fundamentals across the team, helping to define standards in realism, motion language, camera craft and environmental interaction.
- Collaboration with CGI Creative Lead: Work closely with the CGI Creative Lead to interpret creative vision and ensure animation execution supports and enhances the overall artistic direction.
- Line Management: Provide line management to assigned team members, conducting regular one-to-ones, supporting development plans and contributing to performance reviews and appraisals.
- Quality Standards: Maintain high animation standards through structured reviews and constructive feedback, ensuring consistency across projects.
- Workflow & Process Development: Contribute to refining and establishing animation workflows that improve efficiency, clarity, scalability and quality control.
- Tooling & Automation: Support the identification and implementation of development tools, scripting solutions and automation initiatives that enhance production capability.
- AI & Emerging Process Collaboration: Work in collaboration with the Lead AI Engineer to explore, define and implement emerging AI-supported animation processes, ensuring thoughtful integration within existing pipelines.
- Systems Contribution (e.g. Content Engine): Contribute to the development and refinement of structured CGI systems and scalable production frameworks - including initiatives such as Content Engine - ensuring animation discipline insight is embedded within evolving studio methodologies.
- Recruitment & Talent Identification: Support recruitment where required, including portfolio review, role scoping and participation in interviews to help identify talent aligned with creative, technical and commercial objectives.
- Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Collaborate with modelling, lighting, compositing, pipeline and production teams to ensure cohesive integration of animation into final outputs.
- Technical & Creative Problem Solving: Resolve animation and workflow challenges, balancing creative ambition with technical feasibility.
- Innovation & R&D: Contribute to exploratory initiatives, pitch work and forward-looking development that strengthens the studio’s CGI capability and future readiness.
- Capability Representation: Contribute animation work that supports case studies, showreel development and external capability positioning.
- Leadership & Culture: Lead through example, fostering collaboration, transparency, continuous learning and high professional standards within the team.
OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws. OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.
Senior Lead - Animation in London employer: a part of the Brandtech Group
At OLIVER, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions creativity and innovation in the heart of London. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous learning and professional growth, while our commitment to inclusivity ensures that every voice is valued. With access to cutting-edge AI technology and a focus on sustainability, we empower our teams to produce impactful work that resonates with audiences globally.
Contact Detail:
a part of the Brandtech Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead - Animation in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a killer portfolio that highlights your best animation work. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases a variety of styles. We want to see your creativity shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching OLIVER and their projects. Understand their creative direction and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in what we do!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at OLIVER.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead - Animation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your animation expertise. Share specific projects you've worked on that showcase your creativity and technical skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our high-end animation work!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the role of Senior Lead - Animation. Mention how your experience aligns with our goals at OLIVER and how you can help elevate our animation craft.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value creativity and individuality, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for animation and what drives you. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at a part of the Brandtech Group
✨Know Your Animation Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest animation techniques and trends. Brush up on your portfolio and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve demonstrated high-quality animation, especially in cinematics and product storytelling.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Lead, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams, provided constructive feedback, and contributed to the development of your colleagues. Highlight your experience in maintaining high standards and fostering collaboration.
✨Understand the Role of AI in Animation
Since OLIVER is leveraging AI technology, it’s crucial to show your understanding of how AI can enhance animation processes. Be prepared to discuss any experience you have with AI-supported tools or automation initiatives that improve workflow and production capabilities.
✨Align with Creative Vision
Familiarise yourself with OLIVER's creative direction and values. Be ready to discuss how you can bridge the gap between creative intent and technical execution. Show that you can interpret and enhance artistic direction through your animation work.
