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Remote Animation Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Thinkingbox

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that ... Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional) * Flexible time off, including paid ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that ... Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional) * Flexible time off, including paid ...

Thinkingbox

Senior Motion Designer - The Heist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $95K/yr

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that ... Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional) * Flexible time off, including paid ...

EA Collective

Contract Spatial Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$55 - $85/hr

This position is based in Chicago and will involve a combination of remote and in-office work. This ... The Contract Spatial Designer reports to a Creative Director and works closely alongside the rest ...

All JobsAnimation JobsRemote Animation Director JobsRemote Animation Director Jobs in Illinois

Remote Animation Director information

What is a remote animation director?

A Remote Animation Director is a professional responsible for overseeing the creative and technical aspects of animation projects while working from a remote location. They guide animators, coordinate with other departments, and ensure that the animation aligns with the project's vision and deadlines. Remote Animation Directors use various digital tools to communicate, review work, and provide feedback to teams spread across different locations. Their role is essential to maintaining the quality and consistency of animated productions, even when not physically present in a studio.

How does a remote animation director effectively collaborate with artists and production teams across different time zones?

As a Remote Animation Director, effective collaboration with artists and production teams in various locations relies on clear communication channels and well-structured workflows. Regular virtual meetings, detailed feedback sessions, and the use of project management platforms help ensure everyone stays aligned on creative vision and deadlines. Flexibility in scheduling and proactive sharing of resources are key to overcoming time zone challenges. Building strong relationships through consistent communication fosters a sense of team cohesion and supports a productive, creative environment.

What is the difference between Remote Animation Director vs Remote Character Animator?

AspectRemote Animation DirectorRemote Character Animator
Required credentialsPortfolio, experience in animation leadership, possibly a degree in animation or related fieldPortfolio, strong animation skills, often a degree or certification in animation or related area
Work environmentLeads animation teams, oversees project direction, collaborates with clients remotelyExecutes character animations, works on scenes or sequences, often independently or within a team remotely
Industry usageUsed in film, TV, gaming, and advertising industries for high-level project oversightCommonly employed in animation studios, gaming, and media production for character-specific tasks

The main difference is that a Remote Animation Director oversees entire animation projects and manages teams, while a Remote Character Animator focuses on creating and executing character animations. Both roles require strong animation skills and often similar educational backgrounds, but their responsibilities and scope differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote animation director?

To thrive as a Remote Animation Director, you need strong leadership in animation production, artistic vision, and experience with directing teams, typically supported by a degree in animation or related fields. Mastery of animation software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Maya, or Blender, along with familiarity with project management tools, is essential. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and time management skills help coordinate distributed teams and ensure creative alignment. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality animated content on schedule while guiding remote teams effectively.
What are the most commonly searched types of Remote Animation jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Remote Animation jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Animation Director jobs in Illinois? For Remote Animation Director jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Animation Director jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Animation Director jobs in Illinois are:
Remote Animation Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Animation Director job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, 60% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 4% Temporary, 14% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 42% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 56% Remote job distribution.

Art Director, Motion - The Heist

Thinkingbox

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$120K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Who We Are

Hi! We're The Heist, the motion design, live action, and post production studio within Thinkingbox, the Brief-to-Built agency.

We bring together directors, designers, animators, editors, and technologists to create work that moves. From brand films to broadcast spots to social campaigns and experiential content, our team blends craft and curiosity to push ideas further. Across our studios, collaboration is real, feedback is open, and culture matters. We take the work seriously. Ourselves, a little less so.

The Opportunity

We're on the hunt for an Art Director, Motion who can lead with vision, inspire teams, and push creative boundaries across a variety of motion design projects. In this hybrid hands-on and leadership role, you'll take ideas from concept to execution, including: storyboarding, styleframing, directing motion designers, and overseeing high-caliber 3D and 2D content for social, branded, commercial, and experiential campaigns.

You'll collaborate with fellow creatives and cross-functional teams to shape the visual direction of projects that range from digital micro-content to full-length animated pieces. You'll ensure creative excellence while mentoring junior talent and maintaining efficiency and clarity throughout the production pipeline.

What You'll Be Doing
  • Lead concept development and the realization of creative direction for motion projects.
  • Create styleframes and storyboards that define tone, motion language, and aesthetic.
  • Oversee/guide and participate in the execution of 3D/2D motion graphics, ensuring quality and cohesion.
  • Collaborate with creative directors, producers, and designers to shape campaign narratives.
  • Give thoughtful and actionable feedback that elevates the work.
  • Direct small to mid-size teams of animators and designers across various projects.
  • Contribute to pitch decks, treatments, and new business efforts when needed.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends, tools, and techniques to continuously elevate our creative output.
What You'll Bring
  • A stunning portfolio demonstrating strong art direction in motion across multiple styles and platforms.
  • 7+ years of experience in motion design or animation, with at least 1-2 years in a senior or leadership role.
  • Strong background in visual storytelling, typography, color theory, and design principles.
  • Expertise in Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere).
  • Familiarity with Houdini, XParticles, Marvelous Designer, or Substance Painter is a bonus.
  • Excellent communication skills - both visual and verbal.
  • Ability to manage timelines, provide mentorship, and balance hands-on work with strategic thinking.
  • A deep passion for craft and a desire to push what's possible in motion.
Additional Info
  • Monday - Thursday in office (Fridays are remote optional)
  • Flexible time off, including paid vacation and sick days
  • Consistent culture and team-building events
  • Employee recognition and incentive programs
  • Seasonal celebrations and gatherings throughout the year 
  • Office lunches 
  • Branded company swag
  • Access to industry events, learning opportunities, and non-profit outreaches
  • Dog-friendly offices
  • Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks
  • Flex work and travel options
  • Comprehensive extended health benefits
  • 401k matching
$120,000 - $150,000 a year
Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as internal equity, candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. If your compensation expectations fall outside of this range, we still welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity

At The Heist, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity is our creative strength - it's the range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that fuels our best ideas and most innovative solutions. We welcome and encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, identities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds to apply. Your voice matters here.

To Apply

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Please submit your resume along with links to your online portfolio as part of your application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we're unable to respond to every submission. However, all applications are kept in our talent database and will be considered for future opportunities.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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