Head of Story

About The Role

The Head of Story is responsible for creatively directing the storyboards and ensuring the storytelling and characters are transitioned from script to screen in a way that preserves the charm, tone and humour while keeping within the scope and requirements of the show. 

As Head of Story, you will lead the story team and oversee the creative development of story across the production. You will work closely with the Director, Creative Leads and wider production team to shape compelling storytelling, support the development of the story team and ensure the creative vision is maintained throughout the process. You will bring strong creative leadership, collaboration and a clear understanding of story development within animation.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications. 

This opportunity is to work on a feature film with the role starting in Autumn 2026.

Day to Day:

• Managing a team of Storyboard Artists, both at Thumbnail and Clean-Up stage.
• Working closely with the Director and Editor to maintain the show style across the entirety of the Storyboard team, both technically and narratively.
• Maintaining all of the above whilst working within the scope requirements.
• Establishing story style and tone through exploration of the first storyboard in addition to clean-up near the end of production.
• Briefing the Storyboard Artists alongside the Director & working with them on scripts.
• Working closely with the board artists to produce thumbnails for each episode, ensuring staging and story continuity throughout.
• Adding notes or extra thumbnails to ensure they are full and clear.
• Overseeing the development of the storyboards, based on thumbnail feedback.
• Reviewing and providing feedback to the storyboard artists throughout.
• Ensuring that the first animatic review translates the essence of the script and works on a technical level in Panelforge.
• Keeping the Director and Production Manager informed of the episode progress, flagging and troubleshooting any issues with the episode.
• Producing any annotation required to accompany the review stages to inform the client of any notes for further editorial development of the episode.
• Collating client and director feedback, actioning and distributing accordingly to the editor and the board artists to address the feedback for internal and client reviews.

About You

Must Have:

• Previous experience in a Head of Story or Storyboard Supervisor role.
• Experience leading in a feature animation pipeline. 
• Demonstrable experience as a Storyboard Artist.
• Strong knowledge of layout, perspective and composition in a 3D environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Accomplished drawing skills.
• An excellent understanding of cinematography and staging.
• An excellent understanding of film language, narrative and scripts.

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive B Corp certification. We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives. 

What we’ve got for you:

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
• Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies. 

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work .