Lead Effects Technical Director - ILM London

Overview

At ILM, Lead Effects Technical Directors are primarily responsible for leading a team of Effects Artists on a show. They work as hands-on collaborators alongside the Effects, CG, and VFX supervisors to ensure all effects work meets ILM’s standards. The ideal candidate possesses a strong ability to manage and inspire a team, balancing the pursuit of creative excellence with the practical demands of timely delivery.

What you’ll do

• Oversee the effects work on a show or sequence.
• Spearhead the creative and technical development of effects setups and tools.
• Provide clear, constructive, and consistent creative and technical feedback to artists at both shot and sequence levels.
• Partner with other disciplines to develop cross-department solutions and improvements.
• Establish benchmarks for excellence within the team, driving continuous improvements in artistic quality, technical efficiency, and overall output speed.
• Collaborate with production to accurately bid, schedule, and assign shot work to the team.
• Proactively participate in production meetings to ensure clear and effective communication.
• Take ownership of the more complex setups and shots.

What we’re looking for

• Considerable or significant proven experience as a lead effects artist in multiple high-end feature film or episodic VFX projects.
• A constructive communicator who can effectively deliver feedback and engage in discussions with artists and supervisors.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance creative output and efficiency.
• Expert-level knowledge of Houdini and a deep understanding of the computer graphics pipeline.
• Proficiency with Linux and scripting.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing artists.

How to apply

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required. This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work a minimum of 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.

Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Information Technology
• Industries: Entertainment Providers