Regional Only

Our Lead Character Animators are fantastic storytellers and excellent motivators. Their day-to-day focuses on managing their team, delivering characterful animated performances, and maintaining production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients.

Our Lead Character Animators set an example within their team, are expert at both taking and giving feedback, and support the studio in pushing the boundaries of what TV animation is capable of.

We anticipate these roles to start in December 2025 and January 2026.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications. The successful candidates will need to be based in the UK and ideally within commutable distance to our Brighton Zoo studio, though this is not essential. For this role, you will require the Right to work in the UK.

Day To Day

• Responsible for looking after a team of animators, and leading by example.
• Working with the animation director to help improve the storytelling of your team's shots.
• Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
• Making sure your work is communicating the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
• Responding positively to, and acting on notes and feedback from your Director and Animation Director.
• Mentor and support juniors on your team.
• Report any positive or negative observations to your Production Manager and/or Animation Director.
• Communicate with other departments to solve any asset problems for you and your team.
• Help manage director notes and oversee completion across the team.

About You
Must Have:

• Body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character.
• A proficient understanding of Maya.
• Receiving feedback and responding to direction.
• Time management and prioritising.
• Sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members.
• Being a team player and great collaborator.
• Creative problem solving.
• Motivated and set a positive example to the team.
• Previous production experience in Ftrack.

Bonus Points:

• Python or Mel script knowledge.
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).

About Us
Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way

We couldn't be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We've been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You'll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives.

What We've Got For You

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025.
• Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to 'bring their whole selves' to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies.

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.