Bardel Entertainment is seeking a visionary 3D Animation Supervisor to spearhead the animation department for an upcoming, high-profile TV Featurette. For over 35 years, Bardel has stood as a pillar of the North American animation industry, blending a deep respect for the creative roots of the craft with an aggressive pursuit of new technologies.
As a 3D Animation Supervisor at our Vancouver studio, you will be the primary guardian of performance and quality. You will lead a talented team of artists from the initial blocking stages through to final polish, ensuring that every character’s movement, timing, and emotional beat aligns perfectly with the Director’s creative vision. This is a role for a leader who understands that great animation is the heart of great storytelling.
Job Overview: 3D Animation Supervisor
| Category | Details |
| Primary Keyword | 3D Animation Supervisor |
| Company Name | Bardel Entertainment |
| Job Type | Hybrid / Project-Based |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Primary Software | Autodesk Maya |
| Project Type | TV Featurette |
| Department | 3D Animation |
Compensation and Comprehensive Benefits
Bardel Entertainment provides a competitive salary structure that reflects the high level of leadership and technical mastery required to supervise a department at this level.
Weekly Salary Table (CAD)
| Position Level | Weekly Pay Range (CAD) | Estimated Annualized (CAD) |
| 3D Animation Supervisor | $1,900 – $2,100 | $98,800 – $109,200 |
> Note: Final salary offers are determined by a comprehensive review of the candidate’s education, specific certifications, depth of experience in TV/Feature pipelines, and unique skill sets. Bardel is committed to internal equity and market-leading compensation for leadership roles.
Employee Benefits & Perks:
- Flexible Hybrid Model: A work-life balance that empowers individual accountability.
- Health & Wellness: Extended health and dental coverage accessible from Day 1 of your contract.
- Retirement Support: RRSP matching program to help secure your financial future.
- Collaborative Culture: A studio environment that prioritizes experimentation, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
Detailed Job Description
The Mission of the 3D Animation Supervisor
The 3D Animation Supervisor at Bardel Entertainment is more than a manager; you are the bridge between the Director’s abstract vision and the team’s technical execution. You are responsible for the aesthetic “soul” of the project. Whether the scene calls for high-octane action, slapstick comedy, or subtle, emotionally resonant character acting, you ensure the performance is consistent across every shot and sequence.
Core Responsibilities
- Team Leadership: Supervise and inspire a team of Animators. You will be responsible for assigning shots based on individual artist strengths and managing the department’s weekly progress.
- Quality Assurance: Review and approve all production creative materials—including posing and animated sequences—before they are submitted to the Client or Director. You are the final filter for quality.
- Creative Alignment: Ensure that all Director notes and revisions are integrated accurately, maintaining the established style and vision of the TV Featurette.
- Technical Problem Solving: Address creative and technical hurdles that arise during the animation process. You will work with the Rigging and Pipeline departments to ensure the animators have the tools they need to succeed.
- Production Management: Collaborate with the Line Producer and Animation Director to ensure all project milestones and deadlines are met. You must balance the pursuit of perfection with the realities of the production schedule.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work with Layout, Lighting, and FX leads to ensure that animations integrate seamlessly into the broader production pipeline.
- Talent Acquisition: Participate in the recruiting process for your project, helping to identify and vet the best animation talent in the industry.
What You Will Bring
Professional Experience
We are looking for a 3D Animation Supervisor who has already begun to establish their leadership pedigree in a high-pressure studio environment.
- Supervisory Tenure: 1–2 years of experience specifically as a 3D Animation Supervisor or Lead within a 3D production pipeline.
- Software Mastery: Extensive, expert-level experience using Autodesk Maya for character animation.
- Artistic Foundation: A profound understanding of traditional 3D animation principles (weight, timing, squash and stretch, etc.).
Specialized Skills
- Character Acting: A portfolio that demonstrates high-level polish, with a range that includes everything from broad comedy to subtle, nuanced expressions.
- Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. As a 3D Animation Supervisor, you must be able to deliver actionable feedback that motivates rather than discourages.
- Solution-Oriented Mindset: The ability to remain calm and focused during “Rush Weeks,” providing creative solutions to complex storytelling challenges.
The Hybrid Work Environment
At Bardel, we believe flexibility is the key to creativity. Our hybrid model is designed to support both individual productivity and team synergy.
- Remote Choice: The ability to work from home for most of the production cycle.
- Intentional Presence: Mandatory in-studio attendance at our Vancouver location for onboarding and during predetermined Rush Weeks. This ensures that during critical project phases, the team can collaborate in person to solve high-priority creative tasks.
Workforce Diversity & Inclusion
Bardel Entertainment and our partners are committed to building a workforce that reflects the global nature of our audience. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds, recognizing that diversity of thought leads to more compelling storytelling.
Animation Industry Trends (2025-2026) The role of the 3D Animation Supervisor has increasingly shifted toward “soft-skill” leadership. As technical barriers lower, the ability to manage the emotional well-being and creative output of a remote team has become the hallmark of a great supervisor. At Bardel, we provide the infrastructure to support this new era of digital leadership.
Portfolio Requirements
To be considered for this position, please submit a portfolio or demo reel that clearly demonstrates:
- Leadership Examples: Shots where you acted as a Lead or Supervisor (please provide a breakdown of your specific contributions).
- High-Level Polish: Examples of final, production-ready animation that shows a mastery of weight and physics.
- Acting Range: Scenes that highlight your ability to direct or execute character-driven storytelling, from subtle eye movements to dynamic bodily action.
- Technical Prowess: Any examples of your ability to troubleshoot or work around technical constraints in Maya.
About Bardel Entertainment
Since our inception, Bardel has been a home for the world’s most talented artists. Our studios in Vancouver and Montreal are hubs of innovation, having contributed to some of the most beloved and successful animated projects of the last three decades. We believe that through creativity and collaboration, anything is possible.
How to Apply
If you are a 3D Animation Supervisor who is passionate about character performance and ready to lead a world-class team on a TV Featurette, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume, reel, and a brief statement on your leadership philosophy via our careers portal.
Bardel Entertainment Vancouver, British Columbia Empowering Creativity for Over 35 Years.
