Elk Studios hiring 2D Animator (Junior to Lead)

Elk Studios is expanding its animation team as production begins on an exciting new long-form 2D animated television series based on a well-known children’s book property, commissioned by major international broadcasters BBC and WDR. This production represents a significant opportunity for animation professionals at all experience levels to contribute to a high-quality episodic storytelling project within a structured European studio pipeline.

The Elk Studios is headquartered in the centre of Dundalk, offering a collaborative hybrid production environment that balances in-person creative interaction with remote flexibility. Elk Studios places strong emphasis on team collaboration, creative growth, and sustainable work–life balance, supporting artists throughout the production lifecycle.

As part of the upcoming production scale-up, the studio is building a team of approximately 60 animation professionals, creating opportunities across multiple experience tiers—from emerging junior animators to experienced lead-level specialists.

Job Overview: 2D Animator (Junior / Mid / Senior / Lead Levels)

Role Overview

Elk Studios is seeking 2D Animators across all levels to join the production pipeline for a rigged 2D series created using Toon Boom Harmony. The studio welcomes applicants with strong animation fundamentals, timing awareness, and collaborative communication skills who are enthusiastic about contributing to a long-form episodic storytelling environment.

Successful candidates will support the animation department by producing high-quality character animation aligned with storyboard direction, animation supervisor feedback, and production scheduling requirements. Animators will collaborate closely with layout teams, rigging artists, directors, and production coordinators to ensure visual continuity across sequences.

This role is ideal for artists interested in working on a broadcast-quality international animated television production within a supportive hybrid studio environment.

Levels Currently Hiring

Elk Studios is building a full animation department and invites applications from professionals across the following experience levels:

Junior Animators

Junior-level artists will support shot production under supervision while developing their animation timing and character performance skills within a professional pipeline.

Mid-Level Animators

Mid-level animators will handle assigned shots independently, interpret direction accurately, and maintain consistency with sequence requirements.

Senior Animators

Senior animators will manage complex performance sequences, support junior team members where needed, and contribute to maintaining animation quality standards across episodes.

Lead Animators

Lead animators will coordinate with supervisors, maintain sequence continuity, guide team workflows, and help ensure delivery alignment with production goals.

Production Details

The series currently entering production is:

• A long-form episodic 2D animated television project
• Created using rigged character animation workflows
• Produced for major international broadcasters
• Based on a recognized children’s literary property
• Designed within a collaborative team structure of approximately 60 crew members

This environment provides artists with exposure to structured broadcast animation production pipelines and cross-department collaboration opportunities.

Key Responsibilities as 2D Animator

Responsibilities vary depending on experience level but typically include the following:

Character Animation Production

Animators will:

• Produce expressive character performances
• Follow storyboard timing and acting direction
• Maintain animation consistency across shots
• Deliver production-ready animation aligned with supervisor feedback
• Support episode continuity requirements

Strong timing, spacing, and posing fundamentals are essential across all levels.

Rig-Based Animation Workflows

Since this production uses a rigged pipeline, candidates are expected to:

• Animate characters using Harmony rigs
• Maintain rig integrity during performance adjustments
• Adapt rigs to scene-specific animation needs
• Deliver clean animation passes aligned with studio standards

Comfort working with rigged pipelines is required.

Collaboration Across Departments

Animators will work closely with:

• Directors
• Layout teams
• Rigging artists
• Animation supervisors
• Production coordinators

Effective communication supports smoother shot progression and faster feedback cycles.

Shot Delivery & Pipeline Alignment

Animators are responsible for:

• Meeting shot deadlines
• Following naming conventions
• Maintaining production workflow accuracy
• Implementing revision feedback efficiently
• Supporting sequence continuity

Reliability and organization are essential for episodic production environments.

Required Skills & Qualifications for 2D Animation

Applicants should demonstrate strong animation fundamentals and technical familiarity with Harmony pipelines.

Core Animation Skills

Candidates must have:

• Strong understanding of character performance animation
• Excellent timing and spacing control
• Solid posing and acting interpretation ability
• Familiarity with storyboard-driven workflows
• Knowledge of animation principles

A professional or personal showreel demonstrating animation ability is required.

Software Requirement

• Applicants must be comfortable working in:
• Toon Boom Harmony (Rigged Animation Pipeline)
• Experience working on episodic television animation pipelines is highly advantageous but not mandatory for junior-level applicants.

Experience Requirements for 2D Animator at Elk Studio

Experience expectations vary depending on role level:

Junior Level

• Demonstrated animation fundamentals
• Portfolio or showreel required
• Understanding of Harmony rig workflows preferred

Mid Level

• Previous studio or production pipeline experience
• Ability to animate shots independently
• Confidence interpreting storyboard direction

Senior Level

• Strong sequence-level animation consistency
• Experience working within episodic production schedules
• Ability to handle complex acting sequences

Lead Level

• Team coordination experience
• Supervisor collaboration exposure
• Strong continuity oversight skills

Applicants should clearly indicate the level they are applying for during submission.

Work Model & Studio Schedule

Elk Studios operates using a hybrid collaboration structure designed to balance creativity and flexibility.

Weekly work structure:

• 3 Days in Studio (Tuesday–Thursday)
• 2 Days Remote (Flexible Work-from-Home Days)

This structure supports:

• Creative collaboration
• pipeline troubleshooting efficiency
• mentoring opportunities
• team learning and skill exchange
• improved work–life balance

The hybrid model reflects the studio’s commitment to sustainable production practices while maintaining strong creative alignment across departments.

Location Requirements for 2D Animator role

Applicants must:

• Be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland
• Be based locally or willing to relocate
• Attend studio sessions three days per week

Dundalk’s town-centre studio location offers easy access to production facilities and collaborative team spaces designed specifically for animation workflows.

Salary & Compensation Structure

Compensation varies depending on experience level, portfolio strength, and production responsibilities. Typical Irish animation industry salary expectations:

Final compensation is determined based on:

• Experience level
• Harmony rig workflow expertise
• Episodic production background
• Sequence ownership responsibility
• Team coordination involvement

Additional benefits include:

• Hybrid flexibility
• collaborative studio learning environment
• international broadcast production exposure
• long-form series pipeline experience
• career advancement opportunities

Studio Culture & Values

Elk Studios promotes a professional environment centered on:

• collaboration
• inclusivity
• mentorship
• creative exchange
• structured pipeline learning

The studio strongly supports artists developing their skills through team interaction and shared production problem-solving. Work–life balance is a central principle guiding scheduling decisions and hybrid workflow planning.

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Commitment

Elk Studios is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace environment. Applications are welcomed regardless of:

• gender
• marital or family status
• age
• disability
• religion
• ethnicity
• sexual orientation
• community background

Reasonable accommodations are available throughout recruitment and employment processes to support accessibility and participation.

Application Process

Interested candidates should prepare:

• Updated CV
• Animation showreel
• Level preference (Junior / Mid / Senior / Lead)
• Confirmation of eligibility to work in Ireland

Applications are reviewed as part of the production team expansion process during the studio ramp-up phase. Candidates demonstrating strong Harmony rig animation ability and collaborative communication skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

Join the Team of Elk Studio

This is an excellent opportunity for animation professionals across experience levels to contribute to a high-profile international children’s television production within a collaborative hybrid studio environment that values both creativity and sustainability in production practices.