Lead Effects Technical Director - ILM London
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10133459 Location London, United Kingdom Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Oct. 02, 2025Job Summary:
Position Summary
At ILM, Lead Effects Technical Directors are primarily responsible for leading a team of Effects Artists on a show. They work as hands-on collaborators alongside the Effects, CG, and VFX supervisors to ensure all effects work meets ILM’s standards.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong ability to manage and inspire a team, balancing the pursuit of creative excellence with the practical demands of timely delivery.
What you’ll do:
Oversee the effects work on a show or sequence.
Spearhead the creative and technical development of effects setups and tools.
Provide clear, constructive, and consistent creative and technical feedback to artists at both shot and sequence levels.
Partner with other disciplines to develop cross-department solutions and improvements.
Establish benchmarks for excellence within the team, driving continuous improvements in artistic quality, technical efficiency, and overall output speed.
Collaborate with production to accurately bid, schedule, and assign shot work to the team.
Proactively participate in production meetings to ensure clear and effective communication.
Taking ownership of the more complex setups and shots.
What we’re looking for:
Considerable or significant proven experience as a lead effects artist in multiple high-end feature film or episodic VFX projects.
A constructive communicator who can effectively deliver feedback and engage in discussions with artists and supervisors.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance creative output and efficiency.
Expert-level knowledge of Houdini and a deep understanding of the computer graphics pipeline.
Proficiency with Linux and scripting.
Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing artists.
As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.
This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work a minimum of 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.
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About Industrial Light & Magic:
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with ILM (UK) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.
ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.