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Building a localization team is an enormous and crucial step for companies that are scaling. Hiring dedicated and knowledgeable resources will provide focused, knowledgeable, and strategic stewardship of your localization program.
What often starts as one professional taking on the responsibilities of many can gradually develop into a multi-layered department comprised of localization personnel at the top of their game.
In this article, we explore the key roles to be filled within a localization team, shedding light on the diverse skillset necessary to create a powerful impact, as well as the role played by each individual.
There are a few competencies that everyone on a localization team should have.
Team members with a deep understanding of global languages and customs are essential. Also, having diverse team members who are multilingual or multicultural can significantly enhance the quality of work produced.
With technology now changing the landscape of localization, the team must be knowledgeable of various localization tools, software and systems to streamline the process and ensure accuracy. A strong familiarity with the principles of i18n is also important in this context.
There is a significant difference between simply translating content and understanding the linguistic quality of what has been translated. The latter refers to the process of reading the content through the eyes of the market it is intended for, looking out for cultural accuracy, familiar terminology, adherence to dialectal differentiation, and other quality markers.
Efficient collaboration within a remote team, as well as with other departments and external stakeholders, is vital. Clear communication channels and a shared understanding of goals are key ingredients for success.
When forming a localization team, there are specific roles to be filled to ensure all bases are covered. At first, many of these responsibilities may be taken on by one or two experienced candidates, but the aim would be to grow the function to a point where an entire localization department could be created with highly skilled professionals taking on dedicated and specialized roles. The most essential roles include:
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In the initial stages, when a company begins its global expansion or localization efforts, hiring roles like Project Managers and Localization Coordinators is crucial. Individuals who fill these positions are often adept and experienced in many areas, from ensuring linguistic accuracy to implementing essential technology solutions, and are well-placed to carry and propel the entire strategy until more team members are needed to handle the scope.
As the company’s program matures, hiring qualified professionals to fill the Language Lead, Quality Lead, Technology Lead and Vendor Manager roles becomes imperative.
Companies should consider a Director of Localization position as the program reaches an intermediate to advanced stage. This individual would steer and oversee the strategic direction, team alignment and long-term planning for the company’s ongoing localization efforts.
By hiring at levels appropriate to the maturity of your program a company can ensure that its team’s composition meets the evolving needs of the business.
Also, given the rise in popularity of fractional contracts, the practice of hiring for localization roles has begun to shift. While all of the above roles were traditionally on a full-time basis, changing priorities of both employers and candidates have led to an increase in hiring professionals as contractors (often on retainer), as opposed to full-time employees.
For HR departments and decision-makers on a mission to boost their localization efforts, and large companies lacking a structured localization department, outsourcing localization recruiting can be a game changer. Putting your hiring requirements in the hands of an expert team can significantly impact your ability to grow globally.
The team at International Achievers Group understand the critical importance of having proficient and skilled localization experts handling your program, and our localization recruitment service specializes in identifying individuals with the right expertise and experience to fill these crucial roles.
By reaching out to us, expanding companies can tap into a network of talented professionals with the skills needed to elevate localization efforts. Our main aim is to help companies bridge the gap between the need for specialized talent and the successful establishment of a powerful localization team.
Contact us today and let’s build your localization team together.