Brand Consulting - Sr. Animator

Job Description

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, licensing, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy.  Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world.  The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations.

The Department

CAA Brand Consulting is a strategy-led, full-service marketing agency with expertise in Cultural and Consumer Insights, Data and Analytics, Talent/Influencer and Property Partnership Advisory, Experiential, Social Impact, Creative Services, and Content and Digital Strategy. These integrated capabilities come together to offer solutions from planning through execution, and we pull in a collective perspective of expertise with each client brief to ensure we are tapping into diverse thinking and building strategies reflective of the marketplace and culture we work within.

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic Sr. Animator to join our Sports and Entertainment Brand Consulting team in our Los Angeles office. The ideal candidate is a visionary creative with a deep passion for motion design and a proven ability to bring impactful stories to life through animation. You thrive on pushing creative boundaries, delivering visually stunning work that captivates audiences.

As a Sr. Animator, you will be responsible for delivering high-caliber, award-winning animated solutions with minimal oversight from the Art Director and Creative Director. Your role will involve authoring core creative animation concepts, defining motion theories, exploring diverse executional approaches, and delivering each project with originality and innovation across 2D and 3D animation executions. Success in this role demands a high degree of creativity, conceptual thinking, a deep understanding of animation principles, and the ability to create award-worthy animations that push boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualization & Innovation: Demonstrate creative authorship by developing award-winning-level creative concepts and storyboards for assigned animation projects, translating ideas into clear and concise visual narratives that push the boundaries of elevated dynamic storytelling.

• Motion Theory & Storytelling: Apply a strong understanding of motion theory, timing, and pacing to create dynamic and engaging animations that effectively communicate narratives and evoke emotional responses.

• Animation Production: Produce high-quality 2D or 3D animations using industry-standard software (e.g., After Effects, Cinema 4D), adhering to project styles and timelines. Animation skills must include commanding all aspects of animation production from R&D development, finishing, and high-volume versioning engineering that is built to perform with optimized efficiency.

• Technical Execution: Ensure smooth animation workflows, troubleshoot technical issues, and optimize animation files for various platforms and delivery formats.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Identify and resolve creative challenges, explore innovative solutions, and propose alternative approaches to achieve desired animation effects.

• Team Management: Proven ability to guide a junior team in bringing a creative vision to life.

• Client Communication: Present work to clients and internal stakeholders, effectively communicating creative decisions and addressing feedback.

• Department Innovation: Continuously research and stay abreast of new animation techniques, software, and industry trends, and bring recommendations back to creative department management.

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Arts or equivalent in Fine Arts, Communications, or Graphic Design with at least 6 years of experience .

• Demonstrated mastery of industry-standard animation software (e.g., After Effects, Cinema 4D, Maya, etc.) and a solid understanding of 2D and 3D animation principles.

• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of creative animation styles, demonstrating a strong visual aesthetic and a unique artistic voice.

• Excellent technical skills in animation, including timing, spacing, weight, squash, and stretch, and a deep understanding of animation workflows.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with directors, designers, and other team members.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• A strong desire to learn and adapt to new technologies, techniques, and industry trends, with a proactive approach to professional development.

• A positive and collaborative team player with a strong work ethic and a passion for creating high-quality animation. Ability to present, pitch, and navigate client feedback.

Preferred Skills

• Passion for brands in the entertainment, tech, and sports sectors with a keen awareness of industry trends.

• Experience in sports and entertainment, including live event presentation – broadcast/streaming, toolkits, and in-venue.

Location

The Brand Consulting department offers a flexible work schedule and requires three days per week on-site at our Los Angeles office.

Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is in the range of $109,000 - $125,000. This position is also eligible for benefits and a discretionary bonus. Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please talk with a CAA Recruiter to learn more.

Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the “Company”) is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee’s or their dependent’s reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The absence of a permanent address is not a bar to employment. The Company does not discriminate against individuals based on housing status, including the absence of a fixed address.

The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.