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Are you a visionary leader with a passion for tactical realism and high-stakes action? Ubisoft is seeking a Lead Animator to join the legendary Rainbow Six team in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a rare opportunity to steer the animation direction of a globally recognized AAA franchise, blending hands-on creative artistry with high-level team leadership.
Job Overview: Lead Animator
- Company: Ubisoft Reflections
- Position: Lead Animator (Rainbow Six)
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Work Model: On-site (Studio-based role in Newcastle)
- Salary: Competitive (Aligned with UK AAA industry standards)
- Primary Tools: MotionBuilder, Keyframe Animation, Proprietary In-house Engines
- Eligibility Requirement: Must hold valid UK Right to Work (No visa sponsorship available)
The Role: Leading the Future of Tactical Animation
As the Lead Animator, you aren’t just managing a team; you are the bridge between creative vision and technical execution. You will oversee an international cohort of elite animators, ensuring that every movement—from the tactical reload of an operator to the subtle weight of environmental interaction—aligns with the gritty, realistic aesthetic that defines the Rainbow Six brand.
Strategic Leadership and Collaboration
In this role, you will act as the primary point of contact between your animation team and the broader production and direction departments. You are responsible for:
Vision Alignment: Translating the Director’s creative vision into actionable tasks for your team.
Project Management: Being accountable for production timelines and ensuring high-quality assets are delivered on schedule.
Mentorship: Actively listening to your colleagues, encouraging innovative solutions, and fostering a culture of professional growth.
Delegation: Identifying the unique strengths of your team members and assigning tasks that optimize both efficiency and individual development.
Hands-On Artistry
While leadership is a core component, this is a role for a practitioner. You will remain deeply involved in the creation of high-quality animation assets. Your expertise in Keyframe animation and Motion Capture (MoCap) will be vital in shaping the visual identity of the game. You will work within complex 1st person and 3rd person animation systems, ensuring seamless transitions and immersive gameplay experiences.
What You Bring to the Team
To succeed in this high-impact position, you must demonstrate a blend of technical mastery and interpersonal “soft skills.” Ubisoft is looking for a leader who is as comfortable in a spreadsheet as they are in a MoCap suit.
Core Requirements:
Proven Leadership: You have a track record of mentoring or leading teams within a game development environment. You know how to handle “crunch” situations with composure and maintain team morale.
Realistic Style Expertise: Your portfolio or showreel should showcase a mastery of realistic movement. We are looking for weight, momentum, and authenticity.
Technical Proficiency: Deep familiarity with MotionBuilder is essential. You should also be comfortable working with proprietary/in-house engines and navigating the complexities of AAA pipelines.
Systemic Understanding: You understand the nuanced differences between 1st person “view-model” animations (the hands/weapons the player sees) and 3rd person world-model animations.
Development Life-cycle: Ideally, you have seen a project through from pre-production to gold master, understanding the evolving demands of each phase.
Why Ubisoft? (Benefits and Culture)
Ubisoft Reflections is more than just a workplace; it is a creative hub that prioritizes the wellbeing and growth of its employees. Recognized as a Gold Employer in the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index, the studio puts people at the heart of its operations.
Compensation and Financial Security:
Competitive Salary: Negotiated based on your experience level within the UK industry.
Life and Income Insurance: Ensuring you and your family are protected.
Private Healthcare: Full access to top-tier medical support.
Work-Life Harmony:
Flexible Core Hours: Work in a way that suits your rhythm.
Annual Leave: 25 days plus a guaranteed Christmas shutdown.
“Work from Anywhere” Policy: The ability to work from anywhere within the EU for up to four weeks per year.
Relocation Support: If you are moving to the vibrant city of Newcastle, Ubisoft provides generous assistance to get you settled.
Professional Growth and Fun:
Personal Development: Significant resources dedicated to your continuous learning.
Free Gaming: Access to the vast Ubisoft catalog.
Community Investment: Paid days for volunteering and contributing to local causes.
Vibrant Social Scene: Regular celebrations, activities, and a studio culture that values “the art of belonging.”
About the Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle is one of the UK’s most iconic cities, known for its rich industrial heritage, world-class nightlife, and proximity to stunning coastlines and countryside. Working at Ubisoft Reflections places you at the center of a thriving tech and gaming ecosystem in the North East of England.
How to Apply
If you are ready to place your stamp on one of the industry’s most respected series and help lead the next generation of animators, we want to hear from you.
Please Ensure Your Application Includes:
A current CV/Resume.
A link to your Portfolio or Showreel (Focusing on realistic, keyframed, and MoCap-integrated work).
Confirmation of your UK Right to Work.
Note on Diversity: Ubisoft believes that diverse perspectives help teams thrive. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to help us “create the unknown.”
