Director of Translation & Localization Services

Position: Director of Translation & Localization Services

Location: Portland, Oregon (Hybrid)

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Employment Type: Full-Time / Exempt

Company Overview

Linguava Interpreters, Inc. is a premier language services provider dedicated to ensuring language access in healthcare and beyond. Our mission is to be the go-to company that employees take pride in, linguists are excited to be partnered with, and the healthcare community trusts as the premier choice for exceptional language services. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Linguava has grown into a $33 million company with a team of 100+ full-time employees and a network of skilled linguists. We are passionate about helping patients find their seat at the table to fully participate in their healthcare, regardless of what language they speak or sign.

Position Summary

The Director of Translation Operations is a key leadership role responsible for driving excellence across Linguavas Translation Services Department. This individual oversees daily operations, manages cross functional initiatives, and ensures seamless delivery of high-quality translation and localization services. As a key member of the Senior Leadership team, the Director is responsible for the overall success of the translation portfolio - measured by service quality, client satisfaction, team performance, and financial targets. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in the translation and localization industry, a strong background in team leadership, and a proven ability to drive operational improvements and scalable growth. This is a highly collaborative position requiring close coordination with Sales, Marketing, Client Experience, Technology and Executive Leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Own and drive the overall performance of the translation and localization services portfolio

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the translation services department, including project intake, resource allocation, execution, and delivery to ensure timely and high quality service delivery

• Supervise and mentor a team of project managers ensuring high performance and engagement

• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and innovation within the department

• Identify and address training needs to support professional development and skill building for team members

• Establish clear goals and KPIs for the team and ensure they are met or exceeded

• Implement scalable processes to support operational growth and efficiency

• Proactively solve operational challenges

• Oversee onboarding and implementation for new clients ensuring seamless service launch

• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure alignment with organizational goals

• Manage departmental budget, forecasts, and resource planning in alignment with business objectives

• Develop and maintain high-quality relationships with freelance linguists, vendors, and partners

• Oversee vendor sourcing, vetting, and performance management to ensure quality and cost effectiveness

• Ensure ISO compliance and contribute to ongoing audits and certification efforts

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Define, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational and team performance

• Produce regular reports with insights and recommendations

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives based on performance data

• Use analytics to support decision making and strategic planning

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute departmental strategies that align with company growth and service expansion goals

• Identify tools and technologies to improve workflow efficiency and scalability

• Explore and integrate AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs) to optimize translation workflows and increase scalability

• Evaluate and adopt new methodologies to enhance translation and localization offerings

• Participate in annual planning and budgeting processes with executive leadership

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients to ensure client satisfaction

• Partner with Sales and Client Experience teams to support retention and upsell opportunities

• Monitor client feedback and initiate improvements in response to evolving client needs

• Represent Linguava in client presentations and strategy meetings, reinforcing value and trust

Industry Engagement & Relationship Building

• Cultivate long-term relationships with linguists, contractors and vendors

• Maintain an active presence in industry associations and professional networks

• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes

• Represent the organization at conferences, networking events, and client engagements

• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of translation and localization workflows, industry standards and best practices

• Familiarity with translation management systems, CAT tools, and QA processes

• Experience working with AI driven language technologies and LLMs in translation and localization processes

• Understanding of ISO certification processes relevant to translation services

Skills

• Strong leadership, team management, and coaching skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into action

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills; data driven decision maker

• Proficient in project management software and performance dashboards

Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and grow high performing, cross-functional teams

• Proven capability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast paced environment

• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels

• Willingness to travel locally and occasionally out of state for client or industry events

• Adaptability and composure in high pressure or rapidly changing environments

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the translation and localization industry

• 3+ years of experience managing teams and leading operations

• Bachelors degree in relevant field (Linguistics, Business, Translation Studies) or relevant experience

• Proven track record of operational leadership and client satisfaction

• Demonstrated commitment to language access and equity

Why Join Linguava?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization that makes a real impact in language access and healthcare.

• Work in a dynamic and growing company with a supportive and people-first culture.

• Competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive benefits.

• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

Linguava Interpreters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.