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Production Manager Animation Jobs in San Rafael, CA

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations ... animation tasks as time permits. * Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations ... animation tasks as time permits. * Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123 - $182/hr

Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations ... animation tasks as time permits. * Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint ...

New

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations ... animation tasks as time permits. * Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations ... animation tasks as time permits. * Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint ...

Attend Co-production/acquisition related meetings with Japanese partners as needed. * Act as the ... Ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously, manage time effectively, and ...

Research and product Management exp * Story telling exp * Should be able to produce a narrative ... Animation related prototypes would be good * B2C exp needed * 80% - Visual design * 20% - Design ...

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Showing results 1-20

Production Manager Animation information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$32.9K

$79K

$127.1K

How much do production manager animation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for production manager animation in San Rafael, CA is $79,002.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,400.00 and $89,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a production manager do in animation?

A Production Manager in animation oversees the workflow, schedules, and budgets for animated projects. They coordinate between different departments, such as art, story, and animation, to ensure the project stays on track and meets deadlines. Their responsibilities also include managing resources, troubleshooting production issues, and facilitating communication among team members. By organizing the production pipeline, they help deliver high-quality animation efficiently and on time.

How does a production manager in animation typically collaborate with creative and technical teams during a project?

A Production Manager in animation acts as a key liaison between creative teams (like directors, storyboard artists, and animators) and technical departments (such as editors and IT support). They coordinate schedules, track deliverables, and ensure that each stage of production runs smoothly and on time. Effective communication and problem-solving are essential, as the Production Manager must balance creative vision with practical constraints, often mediating between artistic aspirations and budgetary or technical limitations. This role requires frequent meetings, progress check-ins, and adaptability to shifting project needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a production manager in animation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Production Manager in Animation, you need strong project management skills, experience with animation workflows, and typically a background in film, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with production tracking software like ShotGrid, scheduling tools, and digital asset management systems is essential. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to lead cross-functional teams are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure projects stay on schedule, resources are efficiently allocated, and creative teams are supported for successful delivery of animated content.

What is the difference between Production Manager Animation vs Production Coordinator Animation?

AspectProduction Manager AnimationProduction Coordinator Animation
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire production, manages teams, schedules, and budgetsAssists with daily operations, coordinates between departments, tracks progress
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, budgeting, industry knowledgeCommunication, organization, multitasking, industry familiarity
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, collaborative teams, studio settingsOffice and on-set, supporting production workflows
Common UsageHigh-level planning and management roles in animation studiosSupport roles assisting production managers and teams

The Production Manager Animation focuses on overseeing the entire animation production process, managing teams, schedules, and budgets. In contrast, the Production Coordinator Animation handles day-to-day coordination tasks, supporting the production manager and ensuring smooth workflow. Both roles require strong organizational skills and industry knowledge, but the manager role involves higher-level decision-making and leadership.

What job categories do people searching Production Manager Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Production Manager Animation jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Production Manager Animation jobs?

Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Production Manager Animation job openings:

Infographic showing various Production Manager Animation job openings in San Rafael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,002 per year, or $38 per hour.

Lead Animator

2K

Novato, CA โ€ข On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft high-end player characters and AI animations that support responsive, immersive gameplay-bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations, conducting regular 1:1s, annual evaluations, and setting clear, actionable goals.
  • Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture.
  • Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning.
  • Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion capture data for first-person and third-person characters, taking on animation tasks as time permits.
  • Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint planning, and task delegation while addressing blocking issues and participating in hiring efforts.
  • Take an active role in the animation leadership circle by sharing your voice and best practices to help guide the team's culture, as well as updating the group on new or outstanding issues

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped multiple AAA titles as a Lead, Team Lead, or Senior Animator ideally utilizing Unreal Engine.
  • Deep knowledge of gameplay and AI animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging/prototyping processes.
  • Strong practical skill in hand-key facial animation (such as FaceFX) alongside high proficiency in animating human bipeds, organic forms, quadrupeds, and mechanical objects.
  • Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form, gesture, and silhouette as applied to real-time interactive gameplay.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 - $182,360 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.