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Freelance Animation Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

$120 - $165/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... design, animation, video production, and more. This role is about more than keeping the team ... Vet, onboard, and manage freelance and contract creative resources as needed * Oversee the Creative ...

Freelance Animation information

See Kentucky salary details

$12

$41

$114

How much do freelance animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance animation in Kentucky is $41.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.11 and $53.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is freelance animation?

Freelance animation refers to the practice of working as a self-employed animator, taking on projects for various clients rather than working for a single employer. Freelance animators create animated content such as videos, commercials, explainer videos, and graphics based on client needs. They handle all aspects of the animation process, from concept and storyboard to final production, and often manage their own schedules, pricing, and client communications. This career path offers flexibility and the opportunity to work on diverse projects, but also requires strong self-management skills and business acumen.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Animator, you need strong artistic ability, animation fundamentals, and a solid portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, or Blender, along with knowledge of relevant file formats and workflows, is essential. Excellent communication, self-discipline, and adaptability help you stand out when managing client relationships and meeting project deadlines. These skills and qualities ensure you can consistently deliver high-quality animated content, build a strong client base, and succeed in a competitive freelance market.

What are some common challenges freelance animators face when managing multiple projects, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance animators often juggle several projects at once, which can lead to challenges like meeting overlapping deadlines, managing client expectations, and keeping track of revisions. To address these, it's important to establish clear communication with clients about timelines and deliverables, use project management tools to stay organized, and set realistic boundaries regarding workload. Regularly updating clients and breaking projects into manageable milestones also helps maintain workflow and ensures timely delivery.

What is the difference between Freelance Animation vs In-House Animator?

AspectFreelance AnimationIn-House Animator
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant software skills, sometimes a degreeDegree in animation or related field often preferred
Work EnvironmentRemote, flexible, varied projectsOffice or studio setting, fixed location
Employer & Industry UsageIndependent contractors, multiple clientsCompany or studio employment, specific projects
Work ScheduleFlexible, project-based deadlinesSet hours, regular schedule

Freelance Animation offers flexibility and diverse projects, ideal for self-motivated individuals. In contrast, In-House Animators work within a company environment with steady hours and team collaboration. Both roles require strong animation skills and relevant software knowledge, but differ mainly in work setting and employment structure.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation jobs in Kentucky?

The most popular types of Animation jobs in Kentucky are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Animation jobs in Kentucky?

For Freelance Animation jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Freelance Animation jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Freelance Animation job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Animation job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,184 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Associate Director, Creative Marketing

Ncontracts, LLC

On-site

$120 - $165/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

WHO WE ARE

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Ncontracts leads the industry in integrated risk management and compliance solutions, serving over 5,000 financial institutions nationwide. As a seven-time Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies honoree and consistent year-over-year recipient of "Best Places to Work" awards, we offer a thriving, work environment where career growth and life-work balance go hand in hand.

At Ncontracts, you'll join a team of industry experts dedicated to strengthening the financial services sector through innovation and thought leadership. We're seeking creative, collaborative, and self-driven professionals across all areas of our business - from developing cutting-edge solutions to sales, marketing, customer support, and beyond. Join us in our mission to make the financial industry stronger and more resilient, while advancing your career in a supportive, dynamic environment that values your unique skills and perspectives.

THE ROLE

Ncontracts is hiring a full-time Associate Director, Creative Marketing to lead and elevate our in-house Creative Team. Reporting to the VP, Brand & Market Strategy, you'll provide direction, expertise, project management, and mentorship to a team of creative professionals spanning graphic design, animation, video production, and more.

This role is about more than keeping the team's workload moving. You'll transform the Creative Team into an active, forward-thinking, AI-enabled, content-generating engine that drives both paid and organic growth. You'll bring strategic vision to how the Ncontracts brand shows up across every channel, while ensuring the day-to-day work of the team is high quality, on time, and on budget. You will work cross-functionally with departments across the business to align creative output with broader growth goals.

YOU WILL
  • Manage, mentor, and motivate a team of creative professionals (in-house and contract) spanning graphic design, animation, video production, and more
  • Own the creative process from concept to execution, ensuring every project is completed on time, on budget, and to a high standard of quality
  • Brainstorm and develop campaigns, videos, documentation, presentations, and seasonal creative projects that support marketing and business goals
  • Apply and help maintain brand guidelines and standards, flagging opportunities to strengthen and elevate the Ncontracts brand across every channel
  • Plan and implement enhancements to webinar and podcast production value
  • Present creative concepts and campaign work to stakeholders across the business
  • Support alignment between creative output and company growth goals, and liaise with departments across the organization on short-term creative needs
  • Vet, onboard, and manage freelance and contract creative resources as needed
  • Oversee the Creative Team's daily workflow, assigning projects and balancing capacity across the team
  • Manage project scope, proactively adjusting timelines or expectations when priorities shift
  • Stay current on creative, marketing, and industry trends, bringing fresh ideas and best practices to the team
  • Identify and champion AI tools and workflows that help the team ideate faster, streamline production, and scale content output
  • Nurture a creative work environment that encourages collaboration, experimentation, and professional growth
YOU BRING
  • 7+ years of professional creative experience, including experience managing or leading a creative team
  • Bachelor's degree in graphic design, marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating experience across brand, campaign, and multi-channel marketing design
  • Proven experience mentoring designers, animators, and video producers, and building a collaborative, high-output creative culture
  • A strategic mindset - able to translate broader growth goals into creative campaigns, brand strategy, and content plans
  • Deep understanding of brand development, with experience building and enforcing brand guidelines across multiple channels
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to keep multiple projects on time and within budget while managing scope creep
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills - comfortable presenting creative strategy and concepts to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Experience vetting, hiring, and managing freelance or contract creative talent
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with project management tools such as Wrike
  • Ability to balance big-picture creative strategy with hands-on attention to detail
  • Comfortable working in a fully remote, distributed team environment
Bonus Points
  • Experience improving webinar and podcast production value
  • Background in both B2B marketing and SaaS or financial services
  • Hands-on design, animation, or video production skills you can lean on when the team needs an extra set of hands
WE OFFER ALL FULL-TIME TEAM MEMBERS:
  • A fun, fast-paced work environment
  • Responsible PTO Plan that meets or exceeds state and local medical and family leave laws
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Community and social events to keep you connected and engaged
  • Mental Health Benefits
  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
  • Company-paid Group Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account
  • Aflac Benefits – Critical Illness, Cancer Protection, & Hospital Choice
  • Pet Insurance
  • 401 (k) with company match with eligibility on Day 1 of employment
  • 2 Paid Volunteer Time Off Days
  • And much more!

*Part-Time, Temporary, Contractor, and Intern positions are not eligible for company benefits, including paid time off, health insurance, and other employee benefit programs.

AAP/EEO Statement

Ncontracts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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