Boulder Media is on the lookout for a 2D Background Keys Team Lead. It is a full-time, specified-purpose role with hybrid working arrangements (i.e., remote and in-studio working). The successful candidate will be available to start in Autumn 2025 and is based in Ireland. The closing date for applications is 4th August 2025.
About the role
The primary role of the Background Keys Lead is ensuring that the Supervising/Episodic Director,Art Director and Background Supervisor directions are being met, from linework through to finalcolour Background Key. They will be responsible for a team of BG Key artists and ensuring eachbackground is produced with care, adjusting client-provided artwork to required specifications, considering staging, perspective, and file layout while maintaining the required style and aesthetic of the show within the required schedule and deadline. They are also responsible for tidying up the layers and ensuring the Photoshop files are BG production-ready.
Skills & Other Requirements
Key Responsibilities
* Attend Pre-production design breakdown meetings where you will liaise with project counterparts to solve problems in the show and establish episodic briefings.
* Break down the show and assign specific Keys to your team members.
* Ensure that all necessary materials are present before starting a scene, i.e., client reference, client keys and an Animatic. Communicate with your supervisor and Production if materials are not available.
* Track background assets provided by the client.
* Provide, in conjunction with the pipeline, proper asset naming to be tracked in the core sheet.
* Prepare client-provided artwork to a standard compliant with Boulder Media’s internal pipelines.
* Complete or adjust the provided artwork to the required specifications. This can include, but is not limited to, merging elements with existing keys, changing colour palettes/time of day.
* Ensure that all Background Keys are set up correctly and in line with the established production system and requirements of the Animation and Comp Departments.
* Supervise and assist BG Key Artists, directing them to produce BG Keys in the style and standard of the show, staying within the allowance of the schedule.
* Ensure that each team member has prioritised their scenes and organised their workflow, enabling them to meet quotas and deadlines. The BG Keys Lead is responsible for both the artistic quality of the output and the team’s productivity.
* Produce a set output per week, along with supervising your team.
* File management – ensure work files and folders areorganisedefficiently and back up your work.
* Obtain the Art Director and Episodic Director’s approval once you have deemed an episode of BG Keys approved, and address any retakes given to you.
* Support the production department once they have received your final approved keys.
* Share general tips on how to achieve the highest level ofbackground keysefficiently.
* As part of your continuous development, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest initiatives and developments in your area of expertise for the role, such as (but not limited to) training, learning and developmentinitiatives,and mentoring.
* Provide strong leadership.
* Regularly monitor each individual to assess performance.
* Document performance clearly and provide feedback to the crew.
* Build and maintain crew morale.
* Set SMART goals/objectives to enable and ensure the crew meets the expected standards of performance.
* Check in on crew progress towards goals and objectives and give feedback on progress;
* Working with the HR Team, assist with crew development.
* Any other duties company management may from time to time deem necessary and reasonably require.
What would Boulder look for?
* 2+ years of experience as BG Keys Lead or Production BG Lead.
* You must have excellent drawing skills with a great sense of colour, design, perspective, staging, camera placement and composition.
* Excellent knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Bridge.
* Capable of motivating and leading teams with positive enthusiasm.
* Open to feedback.
* Strong troubleshooting skills.
* Comfortable working under tight deadlines.
* Knowledge of asset tracking and database software is a distinct advantage.
* You must have a good understanding and knowledge of a 2D animation pipeline, as your BG Keys will affect the workload for the BG production team
* Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
What do Boulder offer?
* Competitive salary, depending on skills and experience.
* 21 days’holidays per annum (pro rata).
* An extra paid day off for Good Friday each year.
* An extra paid day off for Christmas Eve each year.
* Time off for Christmas.
* Paid sick leave.
* Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package.
* Death-In-Service Benefit.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Vision/Eye Care.
* Temporary Remote Work Abroad.
* Various in-house social events such as Cake & Fruit Day, Screening nights, Games nights, to name a few.
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