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: Lead Animator

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.
• Mentorship: Lead and inspire a team of animators, conducting regular one-on-ones and providing actionable feedback to foster professional growth.
• Workflow Optimization: Establish best-practice workflows for creature and character animation, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing quality.

B. Technical & Creative Integration

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

C. Production & Visibility

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

Professional Requirements (Why You?)

Technical Expertise:

• Animation Foundations: Expert understanding of the core principles of animation, with a focus on creature and viewport motions.
• Software Mastery: Professional-level proficiency in Maya and Blender.
• Engine Experience: Deep knowledge of game-engine animation systems and how to optimize assets for real-time performance.
• Data Structures: Solid understanding of production pipelines and the ability to diagnose technical issues within the animation rig or engine.

Leadership Qualities:

• Proven History: A track record of leading or supervising animation teams on shipped AA or AAA titles.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate creative direction and technical constraints to diverse teams.
• Problem Solver: A proactive approach to troubleshooting and resolving pipeline hurdles.

Benefits & Culture

Benefit Category Details

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 .

Rebellion is hiring Lead Animator, Oxford