Assistant Director
About The Role
As the Assistant Director, you will work closely with the Series Director to help supervise all aspects of production from design stage, through animation to Picture Lock stage. During the pre-production stages, you will gain an understanding of the Director's creative vision for the episode and help to maintain it through to the final stages of the locked episode.
This role offers a meaningful development opportunity, providing hands-on experience supporting creative direction and collaborating across departments. It serves as a strong stepping stone for anyone looking to progress into directing, with real exposure to high-level creative decision-making. You will use day-to-day software, including Shotgrid (Flow) and SyncSketch - the team will support you with training to use these tools confidently.
The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and will require the right to work in the UK.
Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.
The contracted dates for this opportunity is early July 2026 - late October 2026.
Day to Day:
- Manage the day-to-day direction of an episode, ensuring the shared vision of the Directors is maintained between key stages, including Design, Assets, Rigging, Storyboards, Voice Records, Editing, Layout, Animation, FX, Lighting and Compositing, and Picture Lock
- Provide clear and timely decisive feedback to Leads and Heads of Departments, to ensure that Client and Director's notes are understood and production deadlines are met efficiently
- Oversee revisions and provide notes ongoing to ensure the style and vision for the show is maintained
- Provide status updates, troubleshoot, and review potential changes on a regular basis with the production crew
- Where necessary, participate in the hiring process with the Line Producer/Production Manager and the Talent Team to review portfolios and tests, interview candidates, and provide detailed feedback
About You
Must Have:
- Experience in the TV and animation industry with a strong understanding of the animation pipeline, particularly Design, Story, Animation, and Editing
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly understand the director’s vision, explain ideas, and deliver constructive feedback
- Proven experience leading teams and troubleshooting both creative and technical issues
- Strong problem-solving abilities and clarity of creative vision, with the skills to communicate that vision effectively
- Excellent collaboration skills and a solution-focused approach in a creative environment
- A passion for storytelling and an understanding of key audiences
- Ability to manage time efficiently, work to strict deadlines, and maintain focus on the overall vision
- Adaptable, calm under pressure, and positive in fast-paced environments
About Us
Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!
We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.
We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.
We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives.
What we’ve got for you:
- Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
- Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
- Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
- Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
- Online wellbeing programme.
- Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).
Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies.
To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.