Thank you for providing the foundational ethos and requirements for Black Kite Studios. To attract world-class talent you seek, the following job description has been expanded into a comprehensive professional document. It balances the rebellious, rule-breaking spirit of Black Kite with the structured corporate clarity required for a leadership position.
At Black Kite Studios, we are redefining the future of visual storytelling. We are seeking a visionary Lead CG Artist to join our London collective. In this role, you will blend rule-breaking creativity with world-class technology, mentoring top talent and delivering extraordinary cinematic content that resonates with global audiences.
Job Overview: Lead CG Artist
- Company Name: Black Kite Studios
- Position Title: Lead CG Artist
- Department: CG / VFX Production
- Location: London (Hybrid Options Available)
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Salary Range: £75,000 – £105,000 (Commensurate with portfolio & leadership experience)
- Primary Software: Houdini, Maya, Arnold, Nuke
- Reporting To: Head of CG / VFX Supervisor
Our Manifesto: We Are Black Kite Studios
Black Kite Studios is not just a studio; we are the future of visual narrative. Black Kite is an independent creative powerhouse offering world-class visual effects and design. Born from a desire to do things differently, we are a talent-first, technology-inspired collective.
Our community is a sanctuary for the extraordinary—a group of artists, designers, and technologists who believe that “good enough” is the enemy of the exceptional. We don’t just follow the industry standard; we set it. We are a studio with a heart, a culture built on the belief that great work should be accessible, sustainable, and, above all, rule-breaking. At Black Kite, you aren’t just an employee; you are a Culture Influencer.
The Role: Lead CG Artist
As the Lead CG Artist, you are the bridge between imaginative concepts and technical reality. You are responsible for delivering creative excellence from the initial pitch through to the final frame. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a rare blend of blue-sky creative thinking and in-the-trenches technical mastery.
You will provide the technical roadmap and creative inspiration for our CG team, working across a diverse slate of high-end VFX projects—ranging from award-winning commercials to cinematic TV and film. You are the guardian of the Black Kite aesthetic, ensuring that every project leaving our doors lives long in the memory of the audience.
Detailed Core Responsibilities as Lead CG Artist
A. Creative & Technical Leadership
- Project Architecture: Collaborate closely with VFX Supervisors to architect creative and technical solutions for complex CG requirements. Determine the most efficient and visually stunning path to realization.
- Execution of Excellence: Produce outstanding creative work yourself, setting the benchmark for the rest of the team.
- Team Orchestration: Lead and inspire a team of CG artists, managing workflows, assigning tasks based on individual strengths, and ensuring a cohesive visual language across the pipeline.
- Feedback Loop: Deliver client and supervisor feedback to the team with clarity and constructive intent, fostering an environment where artists feel supported rather than scrutinized.
B. Production & Client Engagement
- Pitching & Bidding: Partner with the Production team to provide technical breakdowns for upcoming projects, essential for winning new business and establishing trust with high-profile clients.
- Relationship Management: Act as a technical touchpoint for clients, explaining complex CG processes in accessible ways and building long-term creative partnerships.
- Budget & Timeline Integrity: Take ownership of your department’s milestones, ensuring extraordinary work is delivered on time and within financial parameters.
C. Mentorship & Professional Development
- Talent Incubation: Support and mentor junior and mid-level talent, responsible for personal progression plans.
- Culture Stewardship: Promote a culture of innovation where trying new things is encouraged. Represent Black Kite at industry events, awards shows, and recruitment fairs.
D. Pipeline Evolution
- Workflow Innovation: Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Black Kite CG pipeline, including new USD workflows and AI-assisted tools.
- Problem Solving: Act as the final line of defense for troubleshooting complex technical hurdles within Maya, Houdini, or Arnold.
Why You? (Candidate Profile)
Black Kite Studios is looking for a Kite—someone who is super talented, smart, and possesses a can-do attitude that is infectious.
Technical Requirements
- Proven Track Record: Extensive experience delivering top-tier VFX work across commercials, television, or feature films.
- Leadership Experience: Previously held a Lead or Senior position managing a team of artists throughout the full project lifecycle.
- Software Mastery: Deep production knowledge of Houdini and/or Maya, paired with industry-standard renderers like Arnold.
- Compositing Literacy: Solid working knowledge of Nuke to ensure CG passes are optimized for the comp team.
- Bonus Points: Scripting or programming knowledge (Python, VEX, C++) is a significant advantage.
Soft Skills
- The Problem Solver: Spot fires, put them out and prevent recurrence.
- The Communicator: Articulate a creative vision to an artist and a technical constraint to a producer with equal ease.
- The Ambition: Driven to be the best in the world at what you do, never finished learning.
Why Us? (The Black Kite Promise)
- Sustainable Growth: No burn-and-turn approach; build personal progression plans to ensure your career has no ceiling.
- Talent-First Culture: Built around people, treated with fairness, ethics, and deep respect.
- Environmental Ethics: Committed to the planet, integrating sustainability into our studio model.
- Creative Freedom: Encourage rule-breaking. If there is a better, wilder way, find it.
- Once a Kite, Always a Kite: Join a family that celebrates, troubleshoots, and wins together.
Compensation & Wellness
- Salary: Competitive London weighting with annual reviews.
- Hybrid Working: Flexible approach to work-life balance, blending studio space and home time.
- Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive health insurance, mental health support, and wellness initiatives.
- Pension: Generous employer-contributed pension scheme.
- Community Events: Frequent social gatherings, industry screenings, and a fun-within-work atmosphere.
Commitment to Diversity
Black Kite Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a policy of inclusivity regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, or gender identity. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.
How to Apply
We want to meet you if you are a visionary Lead CG Artist who wants to work in an environment where your voice is heard and your work is celebrated.
Required for Application:
- Showreel: Highlighting your best work and clearly stating your role in each shot.
- CV/Resume: Outlining your leadership experience and technical stack.
- A Note on Culture: Briefly tell us why you want to be a Culture Influencer at Black Kite.
Apply via Black Kite Studios careers portal or send your portfolio to our recruitment team.
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