Job Opportunity: Localization Manager – Growth and Development Lead

Job Title: Localization Manager—Growth and Development Lead

Location: Remote (Global)

Reports to: Localization Lab Executive Director

Availability: Immediately

Salary: Commensurate with experience in managing open-source localization and demonstrated experience in business development, between $80,000-$105,000 USD per year

Benefits: Localization Lab offers generous benefits to full-time staff such as healthcare, retirement plans, home office rent support, professional development opportunities and training.

Please note that we are only looking for candidates with a proven track record in managing localization projects, identifying funding opportunities, securing financial support, and managing client relationships. 

About Us

Localization Lab is a global technology nonprofit dedicated to making public-interest technology accessible to underserved communities through translation, user feedback, and co-design. Localization Lab translates and co-designs open-source software and digital safety resources to advance inclusion, democratic processes, security, and freedom of expression, and develops training materials with local communities. Since 2012, we have made public interest technology available in over 220 languages and regional dialects.

Localization Lab serves as the bridge between a community of over 7,000 volunteer contributors who are end users of the tools we support, a broad network of human rights and civil society organizations, and developers of digital security tools and resources. In the internet freedom space, we are in a unique position where we can connect directly with end users of the tools with whom we work to translate and adapt in their communities. Understanding that translation isn’t enough for adoption, we have always worked closely with contributors through our needfinding framework to discover unmet needs, feature requests, and redesign tools with developers into adaptive, resilient, and usable resources with higher adoption rates. 

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and caring Localization Manager to lead our localization efforts and coordinate localization of a myriad of open-source and public interest technologies and resources. The Localization Manager will be responsible for leading and building out our current localization program: developing localization strategy, coordinating localization activities, developing and managing localization budget, and reporting on localization efforts internally and externally. The ideal candidate should have strong leadership skills, a strong background in localization project management, a solid understanding and knowledge of localization processes and tools, and the ability to manage multiple projects and people. It is essential that the candidate communicate effectively in diverse, multilingual, and multicultural environments and be sensitive to diverse perspectives. We are looking for a collaborative colleague who is highly organized and able to effectively set priorities and communicate succinctly.

The Localization Manager will not only lead localization efforts but also drive business development by identifying new funding opportunities, securing clients, and establishing sustainable revenue channels. This role will be instrumental in expanding Localization Lab’s impact by cultivating relationships with funders, managing client engagements, and developing and pitching proposals that align with Localization Lab’s mission and the needs of the communities we serve.

The ideal candidate should have strong leadership skills, a strong background in localization project management, a solid understanding and knowledge of localization processes and tools, and the ability to manage multiple projects and people. It is essential that the candidate communicate effectively in diverse, multilingual, and multicultural environments and be sensitive to diverse perspectives. We are looking for a collaborative colleague who is highly organized and able to effectively set priorities and communicate succinctly.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement localization strategies and plans in alignment with organizational goals and objectives,
• Oversee the planning and execution of multiple localization projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets,
• Monitor and analyze localization performance metrics to drive continuous improvement
• Generate reports on localization efforts for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting successes and areas for improvement
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including community engagement, research, and operations to integrate localization strategy and processes into organizational development strategies
• Develop localization grant proposals, pitch project ideas to funders and stakeholders
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with external partners
• Manage assigned personnel, including monitoring their performance, and providing them direct feedback and support
• Develop and manage localization budgets, track expenses, and ensure cost-effective use of resources,
• Stay updated on industry trends and innovations in localization technology
• Identify, pursue, and secure new funding sources, including grants and fee-for-service opportunities
• Proactively engage potential funders and partners to expand financial resources for Localization Lab’s initiatives.
• Actively seek new clients and partners, both within and outside the nonprofit sector, and foster long-term relationships to support Localization Lab's growth
• Manage client accounts and ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Localization Manager or similar role
• Experience with grant writing and proposal development, especially in a nonprofit or technology setting, is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, as well as ability to develop and manage a wide range of projects and deliver results to clients,
• Educational background and/or experience in linguistics, translation and/or language rights,
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills with the ability to advance the programmatic development of the Localization Department
• Familiarity with project management software tools, methodologies, and best practices
• Exceptional attention to detail and precision, particularly in reporting, project budgeting, and localization quality assurance
• Experience with or exposure to managing translation and localization processes and knowledge of collaborative localization management tools (e.g. Transifex, Weblate, Lokalise);
• Time management and task prioritization skills, with the ability to manage and multitask across multiple projects and competing deadlines
• Ability to take initiative and move projects forward in a collaborative, entrepreneurial work environment and to show flexibility with working across timezones
• High degree of self-initiative and resourcefulness
• Exceptional written, negotiation, and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills
• Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in open-source software and digital safety tools
• Passionate and mission-driven, interested in internet freedom, digital inclusion, language rights, and better representation online
• Proven track record in client development and account management

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to [email protected] with “LM Manager” in the email subject title. Additionally, kindly include where you came across this job listing. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Localization Lab is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We fight for inclusivity and representation online, and diversity strengthens our team. Localization Lab values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We are an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Accepting applications until 21 January, 2025.