Rebellion is hiring Lead Animator, Oxford

Rebellion is seeking a visionary Lead Animator to spearhead the animation efforts on a major, unannounced title. With a 30-year legacy as one of the world’s leading independent developers, Rebellion offers a unique creative environment where you can influence projects across games, film, and comics. This is a leadership role designed for an artist who thrives on setting high standards, mentoring talent, and integrating world-class character and creature motion into cutting-edge game engines.

Job Overview:

• Category Details
• Company Name: Rebellion
• Position Title: Lead Animator
• Department: Art & Animation
• Locations: Oxford, Warwick, or Runcorn (On-site)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Salary Range: £65,000 – £85,000 (Based on experience and seniority)
• Relocation: Full Package (Moving assistance & temporary accommodation)
• Work Rights: Permanent Right to Work in the UK Required

About Rebellion:

For three decades, Rebellion has remained fiercely independent. Founded by Jason and Chris Kingsley, we have expanded from a powerhouse game studio into a multi-media empire that includes our own film studio and the legendary 2000 AD comic portfolio. We are a “Big Indie,” meaning we have the stability of a major corporation but the creative freedom of a small studio. At Rebellion, your voice is heard, your creativity is celebrated, and your work-life balance is respected. We don’t just make games; we build icons like Judge Dredd and Sniper Elite.

As the Lead Animator, you are the guardian of movement and performance. You will be part of a seasoned team known for outstanding shooters, tasked with shaping the identity of a brand-new project. Your role is a blend of high-level creative direction and hands-on technical excellence.

You will lead a team of animators across our UK hubs, collaborating with technical artists and designers to ensure that every character, creature, and mechanical asset moves with weight, purpose, and cinematic quality.

Setting the Standard:

• Create and maintain animation style guides and technical benchmarks for the project.
• Lead and inspire a team of animators, conducting regular one-on-ones and providing actionable feedback to foster professional growth.
• Establish best-practice workflows for creature and character animation, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Technical & Creative Integration:

• Work closely with the Art, Design, Code, and Tech Animation departments to ensure animations are integrated seamlessly into game engines and PBR pipelines.
• Create high-fidelity animations (locomotion, combat, and behaviours) that serve as a reference for the entire studio.
• Oversee motion capture pipelines—from planning and directing shoots to the final cleanup and polish of data.

Production & Visibility:

• Partner with the Production team to ensure all work is tracked and meets critical project milestones.
• Confidently present animation reviews and progress reports to senior leadership and external partners.

Professional Requirements (Why You?):

• Expert understanding of the core principles of animation, with a focus on creature and viewport motions.
• Professional-level proficiency in Maya and Blender.
• Deep knowledge of game-engine animation systems and how to optimize assets for real-time performance.
• Solid understanding of production pipelines and the ability to diagnose technical issues within the animation rig or engine.
• A track record of leading or supervising animation teams on shipped AA or AAA titles.
• Exceptional ability to articulate creative direction and technical constraints to diverse teams.
• A proactive approach to troubleshooting and resolving pipeline hurdles.

Benefits & Culture:

• Holidays: 22 days + Christmas Closure + Bank Holidays (Increases with service).
• Healthcare: Private Medical Insurance, Dental, and Vision cash plans.
• Family Support: Enhanced Family Leave and Life Assurance.
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Mental Health support.
• Financial: Enhanced Pension Scheme and Tax-free/Interest-free loans.
• Environment: Open-plan, friendly offices with regular social events and free refreshments.

Life at Rebellion:

Whether you choose our riverside HQ in Oxford, our creative hub in Warwick, or our Northern studio in Runcorn, you will find a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We pride ourselves on our stability and the variety of in-house expertise we offer. Rebellion is an inclusive employer. We actively recruit for a diverse team because we believe representative teams make better products. We encourage innovation in all areas and look forward to hearing how your unique talent can help us grow.

How to Apply:

If you have the technical skill to animate world-class creatures and the leadership heart to guide a team, we want to meet you.

Your Application Package:

• Showreel: A comprehensive reel demonstrating your best character and creature work.
• CV/Resume: Detailing your leadership experience and software stack.
• Statement of Interest: Tell us why you want to #JoinTheRebellion.