Black Kite Studios hiring Lead CG Artist, London
Thank you for providing the foundational ethos and requirements for Black Kite Studios. To attract the “world-class talent” you seek, the following job description has been expanded into a comprehensive professional document. It balances the rebellious, rule-breaking spirit of Black Kite with the structured corporate clarity required for a leadership position. At Black Kite Studios, we are redefining the future of visual storytelling. We are seeking a visionary Lead CG Artist to join our London collective. In this role, you will blend rule-breaking creativity with world-class technology, mentoring top talent and delivering extraordinary cinematic content that resonates with global audiences. Job Overview: Lead CG Artist Category Details Company Name Black Kite Studios Position Title Lead CG Artist Department CG / VFX Production Location London (Hybrid Options Available) Employment Type Full-time Salary Range £75,000 – £105,000 (Commensurate with portfolio & leadership experience) Primary Software Houdini, Maya, Arnold, Nuke Reporting To Head of CG / VFX Supervisor Our Manifesto: We Are Black Kite Studios Black Kite Studios is not just a studio; we are the future of visual narrative. Black Kite is an independent creative powerhouse offering world-class visual effects and design. Born from a desire to do things differently, we are a talent-first, technology-inspired collective. Our community is a sanctuary for the extraordinary—a group of artists, designers, and technologists who believe that “good enough” is the enemy of the exceptional. We don’t just follow the industry standard; we set it. We are a studio with a heart, a culture built on the belief that great work should be accessible, sustainable, and, above all, rule-breaking. At Black Kite, you aren’t just an employee; you are a Culture Influencer. The Role: Lead CG Artist As the Lead CG Artist, you are the bridge between imaginative concepts and technical reality. You are responsible for delivering creative excellence from the initial pitch through to the final frame. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a rare blend of “blue-sky” creative thinking and “in-the-trenches” technical mastery. You will provide the technical roadmap and creative inspiration for our CG team, working across a diverse slate of high-end VFX projects—ranging from award-winning commercials to cinematic TV and film. You are the guardian of the Black Kite aesthetic, ensuring that every project leaving our doors lives long in the memory of the audience. Detailed Core Responsibilities as Lead CG Artist A. Creative & Technical Leadership Project Architecture: Collaborate closely with VFX Supervisors to architect creative and technical solutions for complex CG requirements. You will determine the most efficient and visually stunning path to realization. Execution of Excellence: Produce “Outstanding” creative work yourself, setting the benchmark for the rest of the team to follow. Team Orchestration: Lead and inspire a team of CG artists, managing workflows, assigning tasks based on individual strengths, and ensuring a cohesive visual language across the pipeline. Feedback Loop: Deliver client and supervisor feedback to the team with clarity and constructive intent, fostering an environment where artists feel supported rather than scrutinized. B. Production & Client Engagement Pitching & Bidding: Partner with the Production team to provide technical breakdowns for upcoming projects. Your expertise will be vital in winning new business and establishing trust with high-profile clients. Relationship Management: Act as a technical touchpoint for clients, explaining complex CG processes in accessible ways and building long-term creative partnerships. Budget & Timeline Integrity: Take ownership of your department’s milestones, ensuring that the “extraordinary” is delivered on time and within the financial parameters of the project. C. Mentorship & Professional Development Talent Incubation: Support and mentor junior and mid-level talent. You are responsible for the “Personal Progression Plans” of your team members, helping them grow as you grow. Culture Stewardship: Promote a culture of innovation where trying new things is encouraged. You will be a Brand Ambassador for Black Kite, representing our values at industry events, awards shows, and recruitment fairs. D. Pipeline Evolution Workflow Innovation: Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Black Kite CG pipeline. Whether it’s implementing new USD workflows or exploring AI-assisted tools, you are at the forefront of our technological advancement. Problem Solving: Act as the final line of defense for troubleshooting complex technical hurdles within Maya, Houdini, or Arnold. EXPLORE ALL CD PROJEKT RED JOBS – ALL OPENINGS Why You? (Candidate Profile) Black Kite Studios is looking for a “Kite”—someone who is super talented, smart, and possesses a “can-do” attitude that is infectious. Technical Requirements: Proven Track Record: You have extensive experience delivering top-tier VFX work across commercials, television, or feature films. Leadership Experience: You have previously held a “Lead” or “Senior” position where you successfully managed a team of artists through the full project lifecycle. Software Mastery: You possess deep production knowledge of Houdini and/or Maya, paired with industry-standard renderers like Arnold. Compositing Literacy: You understand the 2D side of the coin, with a solid working knowledge of Nuke to ensure CG passes are optimized for the comp team. Bonus Points: Scripting or programming knowledge (Python, VEX, C++) is a significant advantage. Soft Skills: The Problem Solver: You don’t just spot fires; you put them out and figure out how to stop them from starting again. The Communicator: You can articulate a creative vision to an artist and a technical constraint to a producer with equal ease. The Ambition: You are driven to be the best in the world at what you do. You are never “finished” learning. Why Us? (The Black Kite Promise) The Benefit What It Means For You Sustainable Growth We don’t believe in “burn and turn.” We build personal progression plans to ensure your career has no ceiling. Talent-First Culture Our studio is built around people, not just machines. We treat everyone with fairness, ethics, and deep respect. Environmental Ethics We are committed to taking care of the planet. We don’t just talk about sustainability; we integrate it into our studio model. Creative Freedom We encourage rule-breaking. If there is a better, wilder way to do something, we want you to find it. “Once a … Read more