Senior Assistant Manager (Animation, Game Design and Emerging Media capabilities)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a leading global research university, renowned for innovation in education and interdisciplinary research. The School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) is at the forefront of digital creativity and storytelling. We are seeking a forward-thinking individual to join our technical leadership team and help advance our animation and visual effects infrastructure.

Why Join NTU

• Be part of one of Asia’s most advanced digital media and storytelling hubs.

• Contribute to interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of art, technology, and research.

• Enjoy access to professional development, a vibrant campus culture, and flexible work policies that support creativity and wellness.

• Collaborate with internationally renowned faculty and passionate students driving the future of animation and immersive media.

As Senior Assistant Manager for Animation, Game Design & Emerging Media capabilities, you will be responsible for leading the management, optimization, and innovation of ADM’s animation and VFX pipeline infrastructure. You will oversee and maintain advanced studios and technical facilities including the render farm, motion capture system, green screen stage, stop motion lab, and 2D/3D animation studios.

This role is central to enabling high-quality, future-ready teaching, learning, and research across animation and adjacent disciplines such as Interactive Media, Game Design, and Virtual Production. You will guide the adoption of cutting-edge software and hardware (e.g., Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine), collaborate with faculty on curriculum and R&D, and lead technical training for students and staff.

You will also supervise a technical team and student assistants, manage a substantial operational budget, and liaise with vendors and industry partners to ensure ADM remains at the forefront of animation and media production innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and optimize ADM’s high-performance animation and VFX pipeline across multiple specialized studios and labs.

• Lead the maintenance, upgrading, and scaling of infrastructure including render farms, storage systems, and industry-standard software platforms.

• Conduct structured training workshops each semester for students and faculty on technical workflows and best practices in animation, VFX, and real-time production.

• Collaborate with faculty to integrate new technologies into teaching, Final Year Projects (FYPs), and research; support innovation pilots using real-time engines and AI.

• Manage a team of full-time and part-time staff, coordinating schedules, project support, and technical delivery across peak periods.

• Plan and execute procurement and budgeting for technical operations (~$100K–$120K annually); evaluate new tools, vendors, and capabilities in alignment with ADM’s growth.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Media Arts, Computer Graphics, or related field.

• 5–8 years of experience in managing animation/VFX pipelines, render farms, or media production infrastructure.

• Proficiency in industry-standard tools (e.g., Maya, Houdini, Nuke, Unreal Engine, Deadline Manager).

• Strong planning, troubleshooting, and technical leadership abilities.

• Experience training or mentoring users in an educational or production setting.

Good-to-Have Qualifications:

• Familiarity with AI-based animation tools, virtual production workflows, cloud-based rendering, or AR/VR integration.

• Experience supporting cross-disciplinary media projects (e.g., games, immersive installations, digital filmmaking).

• Project management or vendor engagement experience in a creative tech environment.