Lead Animator [TALENT POOLING]

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About This Opportunity:

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles . By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability . As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the requirements of the specific or prospective co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged:

We believe in maintaining strong relationships with our talent pool. As part of this community, you’ll receive regular updates, industry insights, and will be kept informed of upcoming opportunities. We will also check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams will carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps:

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Job Description:

• Overseeing animation creation for characters, ensuring consistency with the project’s style and narrative goals
• Collaborating with directors and department leads to define animation styles, techniques, and pipelines that support storytelling and gameplay objectives
• Providing feedback and mentorship to animators, helping them improve skills and maintain quality standards
• Developing and managing project timelines, allocating resources, and adjusting schedules to meet production deadlines
• Implementing quality control processes to ensure animations are fluid, believable, and emotionally impactful
• Facilitating communication between animation and other departments, such as modeling and rigging, to maintain a cohesive production pipeline
• Proficiency in animation software such as Autodesk Maya, Motion Builder, 3DSMax and Blender, as well as game engines such as UE5 and Unity
• Deep understanding of animation principles, character movement, and storytelling
• Ability to create keyframe animations, rig characters, and develop complex sequences
• Familiarity with motion capture software, asset management systems, and scripting tools to streamline workflows
• Assist the recruiting team by screening portfolios, conducting interviews, and participating in the hiring and onboarding of new team members.
• Define, document, and continuously improve art production pipelines and workflows to maximize team efficiency and quality.
• Personally create high-quality, "benchmark" animations that serve as a gold standard for the team and establish the target quality bar.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the animation team, representing their work, needs, and challenges in production meetings and to studio leadership.
• Research and implement new art creation techniques, software, and technologies to keep the team at the forefront of the industry.
• Review and approve art assets from internal artists, ensuring they meet project standards.
• Champion a healthy, collaborative, and positive team culture that encourages open communication, and shared ownership.

Pay: Php75,000.00 - Php80,000.00 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Makati: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Application Question(s):

• What is your expected salary?

Experience:

• Game Animator: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person