Director

Role Synopsis:
The Director is responsible for leading the creative vision and execution of an animated production from script development through final animatic delivery and into animation production. Working closely with the Line Producer, Production team, Creative Leadership, clients, and partner studios, the Director ensures the project achieves its creative objectives while remaining aligned with production schedules, scope, and technical requirements.

This role provides creative leadership across story, performance, staging, pacing, and visual storytelling, while fostering strong collaboration between internal teams and external production partners. The Director identifies creative opportunities, provides timely feedback and solutions, and helps balance artistic ambition with production realities to successfully deliver high-quality content.

Project Responsibilities

• Work with LP and Production to ensure on-time completion from approved scripts through shipment of final Animatics to our animation partner studio.
• Collaborate with LP and Production Team to ensure scope, schedule and assumptions are on track, flagging any concerns as soon as they arise and coming up with solutions/compromises to effectively manage the given scope, assumptions and production limitations.
• Collaborate with internal designers to ensure it aligns with scope and flagging any concerns for asset creation with our animation partners.
• Lead creative kickoffs and Collaborate with internal storyboard team to ensure storytelling pieces are communicated clearly and offer creative solutions for productivity issues. You will also be responsible for providing revisions, when required based on client feedback up until the animatic is locked.
• Identify ways to add fresh, creative ideas that compliment the overall creative vision
• Strong collaboration with LP and Production to ensure aligned messaging to internal editing team and animation partners.
• Lead creative kickoffs and collaborate with the client to ensure storytelling pieces are communicated clearly and offering creative solutions to producibility issues as well as compliment the overall creative vision.
• Provide director notes for lead sheets for the purposes of layout and shot production kickoffs with partnering studios to ensure storyboards have been properly executed before transitioning into animation shot production. 
• Make best efforts to be available for and participate in all meetings including (but not limited to): dailies, production meetings, creative meetings, review sessions and weekly touch points with Management and or department heads, etc.
• Availability to work in-studio on a consistent weekly basis, alongside work-from-home days.Working in-studio on a consistent and regular basis to promote a culture of collaboration
• Cultivate strong communication and care with both the internal team and partners aligned with Kickstart’s core values
• This list of Services is not exhaustive and will include any other responsibilities that are deemed standard to the industry for this project and those associated with the Company.
• And such other duties as Kickstart may assign from time to time

Studio Responsibilities:

• Interact respectfully and professionally with colleagues, other staff members, partners, and clients.
• Work collaboratively across multiple productions and departments as required.
• Foster and mentor the development of up and coming Lead and Supervisor roles from time to time
• Act as a Studio representative by aiding Talent Management to attract and network with new artists.
• Contribute to a positive team environment aligned with Kickstart’s Core Values.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in animation production, including at least 2 years directing on an animated series, special or equivalent long-form project
• Strong understanding of the full animation pipeline from script through post-production in 2D and/or CG
• Proven ability to balance creative goals with client /brand requirements and notes, production realities, and offering practical solutions under tight deadlines.
• Solid knowledge of storytelling, camera language, pacing, and animation timing
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools, including Flow Production Tracking (fka Shotgrid), Storyboard Pro
• Familiarity with standard studio admin and communication tools, including but not limited to Google Workspace - Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Drive, and Slack
• Skilled communicator able to maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams
• Access to adequate and secure internet connection when working remotely, as per guidelines outlined by the IT team.
• Collaborative and solution-oriented, ensuring alignment across creative, production, and technical departments
• Committed to supporting and mentoring team members while fostering an inclusive and respectful environment
• Diploma or degree in Animation, Film, Fine Arts, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience with international or multi-studio co-productions across time zones, and both service and established brand IP projects, is considered an asset

Benefits

Kickstart Entertainment is a growing animation and production studio with locations in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Arkansas, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Mumbai. We believe in the power of collaboration—it shows in the way we work and in the supportive, creative environment we've built where innovation and great ideas thrive.

At Kickstart, we know that experience comes in many forms. You may not meet every qualification listed, and that's okay. If your skills and experience are closely aligned with what we're looking for, we encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe they make our team stronger.

Why Kickstart?

Having the right experience and skills is only one part of what we're looking for. We seek people who align with our Core Values and who are just as passionate about building an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive workplace as they are about creating exceptional content.

Together, we're building a globally recognized studio known for outstanding storytelling, creative excellence, and a culture where talented people can do their best work.

Kickstart is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and accessible workplace throughout every stage of the employee journey, including recruitment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when contacted, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Create. Collaborate. Kickstart.

Salary Range: $2,400-2,600 per week / Equivalent Annual Salary: $124,800 - 135,200 annual
Contract Date: approximately December 14, 2026 - April 30, 2027
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (combination of in-studio and remote work)

Disclaimer: Kickstart may use AI-assisted tools during the recruitment process to help organize, screen, and assess applications. These tools support our hiring team but do not make hiring decisions. All employment decisions are made by people.

Your personal information will be handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and will only be used for recruitment and employment-related purposes.