Cinematic Animation Lead

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CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Cinematic Animation Lead for Witcher 4 - the first game in a new Witcher series saga - to help bring our ambitious vision of this open-world RPG to life and raise the bar for narrative-driven experiences. This role focuses on driving the quality, consistency, and emotional depth of cinematic animation across the project. You'll lead a team of animators in delivering compelling character performances, cinematic scenes, and animation content that shape the player's journey in this new chapter of The Witcher. Working closely with Narrative, Cinematic Design, and other cross-functional teams, you'll ensure performances remain authentic to the tone of the Witcher universe while continuously refining workflows and empowering your team to achieve the highest creative and technical standards. Daily responsibilities Work closely with the Animation Director and the design and production teams to deliver consistent, engaging, and player-friendly cinematic animations for the game. Collaborate with content teams, directors, and producers to define project scope and estimate team capacity for creating original animation designs. Oversee the creation of unique animation design materials by managing the cinematic animation team's backlog and effectively prioritizing tasks. Maintain and improve animation design pipelines to ensure proper review processes, clear standards, and consistent quality across the project. Collaborate with other disciplines to achieve project goals and contribute to the creation of innovative content. Stay up to date with industry best practices and actively share knowledge with the team. Ensure clear and transparent communication both within the team and across departments. Provide regular progress updates and presentations to stakeholders. Proactively identify and resolve production blockers. Lead and mentor the Cinematic Animation Team, including fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, conducting regular 1:1s to provide guidance and support in developing original cinematic animation designs, and overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and performance management. 8+ years of experience in animation within game development, including at least 4 years in a managerial role, with proven leadership on a shipped AAA narrative-driven title focused on storytelling. Deep understanding of performance, storytelling, and cinematography in an interactive medium, with a strong reel demonstrating leadership or hands-on contribution to emotionally powerful cinematic performances. Expertise in Unreal Engine and professional experience with Motion Builder or Maya. Hands-on experience developing or refining cinematic animation and mocap workflows and pipelines, improving tools and processes in collaboration with other teams. A proactive approach to identifying and resolving production blockers. Experience in leading and mentoring teams, with a focus on empowering individuals, fostering ownership, and building an environment of trust and collaboration. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative intent and complex concepts across disciplines and organizational levels, collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and support alignment through detailed project documentation. Passion for animation design and the ability to effectively share knowledge with other team members. Working mode In-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity in Warsaw, Poland. Relocation Support Relocation package - flight ticket, company apartment for your first month, relocating your pet and family, shipping your belongings. It's all covered. Relocation assistance - processing your legalization operations for you and tax settlements - all you need to feel right at home is taken care of. Polish lessons for foreign employees - and for your spouse or partner, too. Paid Leave - from 20 to 26 days of holiday per year, and paid sick leave. Health & Well-Being Private medical healthcare - a selection of medical plans with dental care and unlimited rehabilitation to choose from, which are also accessible for your partner and relatives. Life insurance - comprehensive pension and insurance plans to protect you and your loved ones. Annual screenings for cancer prevention covered by the company. Psychological and psychiatrist care - free mental health support and various well-being initiatives. Sports card - gain access to a wide number of sporting and fitness facilities across the city. Menstrual leave - employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain. RED Parents Network - support for working parents, including childcare benefits, and family-friendly events. RED Summer Camp for Kids - a fun summer program for children aged 5-12, majoritively paid by the company. Perks & Professional Growth A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team. Trainings, lectures, and courses - works

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