Director of Translation Operations (Hybrid)

Position: Director of Translation OperationsLocation: Portland, Oregon (Hybrid)Reports To: Vice President of OperationsEmployment Type: Full-Time / ExemptCompany OverviewLinguava 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 SummaryThe 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 ResponsibilitiesLeadership & ManagementOwn and drive the overall performance of the translation and localization services portfolioOversee 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 deliverySupervise and mentor a team of project managers ensuring high performance and engagementPromote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and innovation within the departmentIdentify and address training needs to support professional development and skill building for team membersEstablish clear goals and KPIs for the team and ensure they are met or exceededImplement scalable processes to support operational growth and efficiencyProactively solve operational challengesOversee onboarding and implementation for new clients ensuring seamless service launchPartner cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure alignment with organizational goalsManage departmental budget, forecasts, and resource planning in alignment with business objectivesDevelop and maintain high-quality relationships with freelance linguists, vendors, and partnersOversee vendor sourcing, vetting, and performance management to ensure quality and cost effectivenessEnsure ISO compliance and contribute to ongoing audits and certification effortsPerformance Monitoring and ReportingDefine, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational and team performanceProduce regular reports with insights and recommendationsImplement continuous improvement initiatives based on performance dataUse analytics to support decision making and strategic planningStrategic PlanningDevelop and execute departmental strategies that align with company growth and service expansion goalsIdentify tools and technologies to improve workflow efficiency and scalabilityExplore and integrate AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs) to optimize translation workflows and increase scalabilityEvaluate and adopt new methodologies to enhance translation and localization offeringsParticipate in annual planning and budgeting processes with executive leadershipClient Relationship ManagementServe as a key point of contact for clients to ensure client satisfactionPartner with Sales and Client Experience teams to support retention and upsell opportunitiesMonitor client feedback and initiate improvements in response to evolving client needsRepresent Linguava in client presentations and strategy meetings, reinforcing value and trustIndustry Engagement & Relationship BuildingCultivate long-term relationships with linguists, contractors and vendorsMaintain an active presence in industry associations and professional networksStay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changesRepresent the organization at conferences, networking events, and client engagementsPerform other duties as assignedKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)KnowledgeIn-depth knowledge of translation and localization workflows, industry standards and best practicesFamiliarity with translation management systems, CAT tools, and QA processesExperience working with AI driven language technologies and LLMs in translation and localization processesUnderstanding of ISO certification processes relevant to translation servicesSkillsStrong leadership, team management, and coaching skillsExcellent written and verbal communication and presentation skillsStrategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into actionStrong analytical and problem solving skills; data driven decision makerProficient in project management software and performance dashboardsAbilitiesDemonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and grow high performing, cross-functional teamsProven capability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast paced environmentAbility to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levelsWillingness to travel locally and occasionally out of state for client or industry eventsAdaptability and composure in high pressure or rapidly changing environmentsQualifications5+ years of experience in the translation and localization industry3+ years of experience managing teams and leading operationsBachelor’s degree in relevant field (Linguistics, Business, Translation Studies) or relevant experienceProven track record of operational leadership and client satisfactionDemonstrated commitment to language access and equityWhy 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 petitive 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

Created: 2025-10-06