Sony Pictures Imageworks hiring 3D Animator, BC

Job Overview

• Company: Sony Pictures Imageworks (Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.)
• Role Title: Supervising Animator (Marketing)
• Location: 658 Homer St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 2R4, Canada
• Employment Type: Full-Time Professional
• Language of Work: English
• Reporting To: Head of Department (HOD) & Production Management
• Primary Software: Autodesk Maya / ShotGrid

Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI), a world leader in digital visual effects and character animation, is seeking a visionary Supervising Animator (Marketing) to lead our specialized marketing animation team in Vancouver, BC.

Located on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, Sony Pictures Imageworks is committed to a culture of reconciliation, innovation, and artistic excellence. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between our award-winning feature film quality and the high-impact world of global marketing.

As a Supervising Animator, you will not only dictate the aesthetic movement of our most iconic characters but also serve as a mentor and strategist, ensuring our promotional content meets the same rigorous standards as our theatrical releases.

Compensation & Comprehensive Benefits

At Sony Pictures Imageworks, we recognize that our talent is our greatest asset. Our compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain the industry’s best, providing a stable and rewarding environment for creative leaders.

Note: Actual base salary offers consider various factors including specific qualifications, years of relevant experience, educational attainment, and professional certifications.

The Mission: Leading the Vision

The Supervising Animator (Marketing) is a hybrid role requiring elite artistic sensibilities and sophisticated production management skills. You will oversee the creative output of the marketing animation team, ensuring that every frame reflects the “Sony Standard” while staying on schedule and within budget.

1. Creative Leadership

• Style Mastery: Swiftly adapt to and define changing animation styles, from hyper-realistic to highly stylized character performances.

• Inspiration: Guide and inspire animators to reach their peak potential, setting the quality bar for the entire department.

• Pipeline Integration: Partner with CG Supervisors to maintain visual quality throughout the entire technical pipeline.

• Strategic Casting: Assign shots to artists based on a balance of production needs and the individual artist’s career development goals.

2. Production & Strategy

• Project Oversight: Partner with Production Management to ensure shots are completed to the highest quality on time.

• Bidding & Resource Management: Provide accurate animation bids for sequences and shots; participate in recruiting and interviewing external talent.

• High-Level Reviews: Attend and run critical meetings, including Animation launches, Brain Trusts, and Client Reviews.

3. People & Studio Stewardship

• Mentorship: Conduct regular 1:1 meetings with artists to provide coaching, set goals, and offer praise and recognition.

• Inclusion: Actively foster an inclusive and safe environment where every voice has space to contribute.

• Training: Collaborate with the Training Department to ensure the curriculum remains relevant to current studio workflows.

• Standards: Participate in the creation and execution of technical standards and pipeline conventions for the facility.

Qualifications: Requirements for the Role

Sony Pictures Imageworks is looking for a veteran of the animation industry who has a proven track record of guiding teams through the complexities of high-end CG feature production.

• Industry Tenure: 8+ years of professional character animation experience on high-end CG features.

• Leadership Experience: 2+ years of proven experience as a Lead Animator or Supervisor.

• Technical Expert: Expert-level knowledge of Maya. Experience with ShotGrid is a significant advantage.

• Artistic Depth: Deep understanding of performance, cinematography, and storytelling principles.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; must be able to decipher and follow through on complex feedback from clients and directors.

• Resilience: Proactive and adaptable when faced with shifting priorities or changing project scopes.

Industry Context: Diversity and Representation in Animation

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique perspectives that are essential for creating stories that resonate globally. To provide transparency regarding the industry we are helping to shape, consider these recent data points regarding the animation landscape as we enter 2026:

1. Gender Representation (North American Animation Studios):

• According to the Animation Guild and Women in Animation (WIA) reports, women and non-binary individuals currently represent approximately 34% of creative roles in animation, with a strategic industry-wide goal of “50/50 by 2025/2026” in leadership roles.

• At the Supervisory level, representation has seen a 5% increase year-over-year, emphasizing SPI’s commitment to gender equity in leadership.

2. Racial & Ethnic Diversity Statistics (U.S. & Canada Animation Sector):

• White/Caucasian: ~56%

• Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander: ~19%

• Hispanic/Latino: ~13%

• Black/African American: ~5% (An area of focused recruitment and mentorship within the industry).

• Indigenous/First Nations: ~2% (Sony Pictures Imageworks specifically prioritizes reconciliation and outreach to these communities in British Columbia).

Sony Pictures Imageworks actively evaluates all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We encourage candidates from all identities to apply to help us move these numbers toward a more equitable future.

Why Sony Pictures Imageworks?

1. A Legacy of Innovation

Sony Pictures Imageworks is responsible for some of the most visually groundbreaking films of the last decade, including the Spider-Verse saga. Joining the marketing team allows you to work with these world-class assets to create the first impression the public has of our films.

2. Strategic Growth

Marketing animation is a high-visibility department. You will see your work on global stages, from Super Bowl commercials to immersive digital billboards. This role offers a unique opportunity to see the business side of the film industry while maintaining a heavy creative hand.

3. Holistic Studio Health

We don’t just care about the shots; we care about the artists. Our benefits—including RRSP matching, tuition reimbursement, and a focus on sick and vacation leave—ensure that our team stays healthy and inspired for the long term.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

How to Apply

Are you ready to lead a team of elite animators and define the visual language of Sony’s marketing campaigns? We value unique perspectives and want you to bring your authentic self to our studio.

Application Process:

1. Resume: Submit a PDF detailing your 8+ years of professional experience.

2. Showreel: Provide a link to your latest reel, specifically highlighting character performance and any shots you directly supervised or led.

3. Cover Letter: (Optional) Tell us about your philosophy on mentorship and how you foster inclusive team cultures.