CGI Lead

TheLab•New York, NY

About The Position

The CGI Supervisor is responsible for the technical and artistic quality of all 3D computer-generated content across production. Acting as the bridge between creative leadership, production teams, and 3D artists, this role defines technical workflows, oversees asset creation, lighting, rendering, and animation, and ensures the efficient execution of projects from concept through final delivery. Working within HOME, Wellcom's AI-enabled production ecosystem, the CGI Supervisor leads multidisciplinary CGI teams while helping integrate emerging technologies that improve production efficiency, scalability, and quality. This role ensures all deliverables align with the client's creative vision, brand standards, and technical specifications.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Visual Effects, Digital Arts, or equivalent professional experience.
8+ years of experience in CGI, VFX, or digital production, with demonstrated leadership experience.
Proven expertise managing end-to-end CGI production pipelines.
Strong understanding of modeling, lighting, rendering, shading, animation, compositing, and asset management.
Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
Ability to balance creative excellence with production schedules and technical requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading teams within commercial advertising, retail, e-commerce, or creative production environments.
Experience implementing production pipeline improvements or workflow automation.
Familiarity with AI-assisted production tools and emerging generative AI technologies.
Experience working with cloud rendering and distributed production environments.
Knowledge of scripting or pipeline development (Python, MEL, MaxScript, or similar).
Experience collaborating with software developers and technical pipeline teams.

Responsibilities

Define, maintain, and continuously optimize the CGI production pipeline to support efficient, scalable project delivery.
Collaborate with AI Developers, pipeline engineers, and production teams to implement workflow improvements and automation within HOME.
Identify opportunities to streamline rendering, asset management, and production processes through emerging technologies.
Ensure pipeline stability, consistency, and adherence to production standards across all CGI projects.
Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of CGI artists, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, look development, FX, and rendering.
Assign work based on project priorities, artist expertise, and production schedules.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing creative environment.
Support career development through coaching, feedback, and technical guidance.
Serve as the primary technical authority for complex CGI production challenges.
Troubleshoot issues involving modeling, lighting, rendering, simulations, shaders, and production workflows.
Work closely with technical teams to improve tools, optimize rendering performance, and reduce production bottlenecks.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to production capabilities.
Oversee look development, lighting, materials, rendering, and overall visual quality across all CGI deliverables.
Conduct regular creative and technical reviews, providing constructive feedback to ensure consistency and excellence.
Maintain visual continuity across campaigns, assets, and production teams.
Ensure work meets client expectations, brand standards, and creative objectives.
Partner closely with Creative Directors, Senior Art Directors, Production Managers, AI Developers, and Compositing Supervisors throughout the production lifecycle.
Establish technical standards for seamless handoffs between CGI, compositing, photography, motion, and post-production teams.
Define render outputs, AOVs, utility passes, and delivery specifications that support efficient downstream production.
Contribute to the evolution of HOME by identifying opportunities where AI-enabled workflows can enhance creative production without compromising artistic quality.