Localization Project Manager – Hire the Right Expert Today

Localization project manager: Your complete hiring guide

A skilled localization project manager can boost your global audience by 30%. Find the right expert to drive your project success.

Vova Zakharov is a developer, AI experimenter, writer, and former Smartcat editor-in-chief with 22 years of background as a translator, editor, and copywriter. He writes about language technology, AI tooling, localization, and content workflows.

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Published May 27, 2021·9 min read

What does a localization project manager do?

A localization project manager is the person who makes sure that your product is translated into other languages and, crucially, that it actually works in each target language. In today’s content-driven economy, localization is an extremely complex, multi-faceted process that requires a lot of coordination, planning and agility.

A typical localization project manager is responsible for the following:

Planning — The localization PM has to plan the entire process of translating your product into other languages. This includes deciding which languages to translate into, when and how.
Coordination — The LPM has to coordinate the entire process of translating your product into other languages. This includes managing all the people involved in the translation, tracking their progress and making sure that they deliver on time.
Quality assurance — The LPM has to make sure that the translation is of high quality, both in terms of accuracy and style.
Release management — The LPM has to make sure that the translation is released on time and in a way that doesn’t disrupt your business.
Reporting — The LPM has to regularly report to the management on the overall health of the localization process.

Where do you find a localization project manager?

Finding a localization project manager is not easy, especially if you’re looking for one with experience in your particular industry. The best way to find one is by asking around — talk to other people in your industry and see if they know of anyone.

What character traits to look for in a localization project manager?

To answer this question, we talked to a few localization project managers and other prominent industry professionals. Here’s a summary of what they had to say:

1. Empathizing with others' perspectives

Localization managers need to master the ability to speak the language of each stakeholder, analyze their perspectives and empathize with them.

2. Being able to gently educate others

An LPM needs to constantly educate stakeholders on their roles and inputs in the process, as well as on the overall value that is being created through localization.

3. Knowing how to manage expectations

A good LPM is always on top of things and knows exactly what is going on at all times. They can communicate information clearly.

4. Versatility and willingness to learn

Localization professionals are likely to be involved in many aspects of their company business, from product design to marketing campaigns planning.

5. A knack for tech & automation

A good LPM should be able to suggest automation solutions and evaluate their feasibility.

What skills to put in a localization project manager job description?

Experience: 3 to 5 (and sometimes up to 10+) years of experience in localization, internationalization, project management, or similar fields.

Soft skills:

Communication skills
Staying focused under pressure
Prioritizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Thriving in an ambiguous environment and being comfortable with constant change

Technical skills:

Translation memories
Translation management systems
Machine translation technology.

How Smartcat helps localization project managers make products global

Smartcat is a platform that helps you manage your entire localization process in one place. By combining a toolset that usually requires a number of different solutions, Smartcat helps localization project managers save time and money on your localization projects.