Linguava
Position : Director of Translation Operations
Location : Portland, Oregon (Hybrid)
Reports To : Vice President of Operations
Employment Type : Full-Time / Exempt
Company Overview
The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.
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 Linguava’s 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
Bachelor’s 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.
The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.
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 Linguava’s 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
Bachelor’s 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.