Head of Department - Animation
Sony Pictures Imageworks
CA$148,500 - CA$207,900 / year
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Description
Head of Department - Animation
Sony Pictures Imageworks is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. We are committed to respecting traditional lands, and working with communities towards reconciliation.
Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.
658 Homer Street., Suite 405, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2R4
Language in work environment - English
Benefits per company policy: include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable
Summary:
Sony Pictures Imageworks is the Academy Award-winning Live Action Visual Effects and Feature Animation unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The Head of the Animation Department is responsible for defining and driving the strategic direction, operational priorities, and long-term growth of the Animation Department across both Feature Animation and Visual Effects productions, while partnering with Artist Management to provide contextual information for resource planning and artist development. This is a regular, full-time position.
Main Responsibilities:
- Create objectives and key results amongst cross functional teams to ensure focus and achieve results that highlight the intersection of creativity and efficiency.
Strategic Leadership:
- Define and communicate the long-term vision, strategic direction, and operational priorities for the Animation Department across Feature Animation and Visual Effects productions.
- Lead alignment with studio leadership, production leadership, and department heads to evolve departmental capabilities, workflows, and organizational practices that support creative excellence, scalability, and future business opportunities.
- Represent departmental priorities in partnership with Technology and Development teams to drive workflow innovation, pipeline evolution, and the department's long-term technology roadmap.
Collaboration and Department Development:
- Collaborate with Animation Directors, VFX Supervisors, CG Supervisors, production leadership, and partner departments to align workflows, resolve production challenges, and establish best practices that improve quality, efficiency, and consistency across productions.
- Guide departmental onboarding, training priorities, documentation, and professional development initiatives in collaboration with Learning & Development.
- Partner with Artist Management to support artist growth, retention, leadership development, succession planning, and long-term workforce strategy within the Animation Department.
Department Performance and Culture:
- Champion initiatives that improve production efficiency, creative quality, and organizational effectiveness.
- Serve as the primary representative and advocate for the Animation Department, providing regular communication on departmental strategy, priorities, and technology initiatives.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning where artists and leaders can grow and perform at a high level.
The anticipated base salary for this position is $148,500 - $207,900 (CAD). Benefits are per company policy: which include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.
We value unique perspectives, and want diverse, unique talent to work with us. We encourage candidates from all identities to apply.
*Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
About this role
Sony Pictures Imageworks is seeking a Head of Animation to lead strategic and operational direction for its Animation Department across feature and visual effects productions in Vancouver. This role sits at the intersection of creative leadership and business strategy, requiring someone who can define long-term vision while managing the practical realities of large-scale production environments. You'd work closely with Animation Directors, VFX Supervisors, studio leadership, and cross-functional teams to evolve workflows, establish best practices, and drive both creative quality and operational efficiency.
The position demands strong leadership in several areas: setting departmental objectives and key results, championing technology innovation alongside Technology and Development teams, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. You'd also partner with Artist Management on workforce strategy, professional development, and retention—balancing immediate production needs with long-term talent growth. This is fundamentally a role for someone comfortable operating at multiple levels simultaneously, from high-level strategic planning to hands-on problem-solving with production teams.
The salary range is $148,500–$207,900 CAD, with standard benefits including healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSPs, and paid leave. The position is full-time and in-office in Vancouver. This role suits experienced animation or VFX leaders with a track record in department management, workflow optimization, and the ability to communicate effectively across technical, creative, and executive stakeholders.
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Pay for this role
$148,500 to $207,900 per year
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