Vendor Project Manager

Welocalize

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vendor Project Manager provides leadership to Welocalize employees (for example localization QA testers/reviewers) working onsite on client premises to ensure that projects are executed successfully and in a timely manner. The VPM serves as a liaison between Welocalize and the client to most effectively meet the client’s needs and goals. Work with the client and other project managers to coordinate testing efforts and schedule resources for projects in multiple labs/locations Meet with the client to discuss and clarify briefs, policies and requests, deadlines, resource planning and allocation Collaborate with project managers, testers and producers to keep testing schedules on track Establish and maintain reliable internal tracking process to oversee attendance, schedules and performance as well as monitor the workload of testers/reviewers in different language groups Receive new candidates from recruiters and make decisions to invite them for tryout or present them to the client Guide tester/reviewer candidates through tryouts, serving as the primary contact and escort for testers while onsite at client facility Manage onboarding procedures for new testers/reviewers Provide technical and general linguistic training, coaching and guidance to address performance concerns and improve speed and quality of testers’/reviewers’ work Compile and maintain training materials and operating guidelines Respond to testers’/reviewers’ scheduling requests and other needs or issues Gather information and feedback from testers/reviewers about performance, workload management, and any work-related issues Actively seek feedback from the client about the team's performance; identifying challenges and inefficiencies in workflow and systems; and discussing areas of improvement Work with the client company managers and producers to improve and streamline the localization/reviewing process, driving efficiency and effectiveness Devise plans of action that engage multiple stakeholders to achieve desired results Schedule team meetings as needed Promote team-building activities during and after work hours Report to Welocalize management about onsite activities, team performance, client feedback, requests and policy changes, short- and long-term planning Report to Welocalize recruiters about immediate and anticipated language needs, upcoming projects, and the status of submitted candidates or testers/reviewers in training Assist project managers and producers on various tasks Ensure the safety and well-being of Welocalize employees on client premises (for example during emergency situations)

Requirements

Natural leader who easily gains respect from and motivates team members
Ability to connect easily with colleagues and managers (both Welocalize and client) in a very diverse setting
Ability to communicate effectively with client company managers, linguists, onsite and offsite project managers, and testers across all vendors and language groups
People management experience
Excellent command of written and spoken English
High level of integrity and ability to handle information with discretion, discerning when confidentiality is important
Genuine team player who puts team first
High level of responsibility, ownership and accountability
Conflict management and mediation skills
Ability to stay calm under pressure and when facing conflicting demands from various stakeholders
Ability to address groups of 10-100
Ability to think strategically
Extreme attention to detail and great organizational skills for managing multiple tasks and project deadlines
Keen sense of judgment when prioritizing tasks and managing delivery of communications
Ability to troubleshoot and come up with solutions on the spot in a fast-paced, demanding environment
Experience providing trainings to people individually and in groups, in technical and other skills
Ability to present complex tasks in a simple and clear manner
2+ years experience in the QA, localization or globalization industry
Bilingual
In-depth knowledge of OS X, iOS, iWork, iCloud, iTunes, Windows, MS Office
Bachelor's degree in language, linguistics, HR, management, or related field, or equivalent work experience

Nice To Haves

Project management experience and/or training
Multilingual
Knowledge of basic HTML and Unicode
Basic computer networking knowledge (setting up IP addresses, connecting devices using proxy, etc.)
Experience writing and editing QA plans
Familiarity with photo editing and desktop publishing
Training in conflict resolution or mediation

Responsibilities

Work with the client and other project managers to coordinate testing efforts and schedule resources for projects in multiple labs/locations
Meet with the client to discuss and clarify briefs, policies and requests, deadlines, resource planning and allocation
Collaborate with project managers, testers and producers to keep testing schedules on track
Establish and maintain reliable internal tracking process to oversee attendance, schedules and performance as well as monitor the workload of testers/reviewers in different language groups
Receive new candidates from recruiters and make decisions to invite them for tryout or present them to the client
Guide tester/reviewer candidates through tryouts, serving as the primary contact and escort for testers while onsite at client facility
Manage onboarding procedures for new testers/reviewers
Provide technical and general linguistic training, coaching and guidance to address performance concerns and improve speed and quality of testers’/reviewers’ work
Compile and maintain training materials and operating guidelines
Respond to testers’/reviewers’ scheduling requests and other needs or issues
Gather information and feedback from testers/reviewers about performance, workload management, and any work-related issues
Actively seek feedback from the client about the team's performance; identifying challenges and inefficiencies in workflow and systems; and discussing areas of improvement
Work with the client company managers and producers to improve and streamline the localization/reviewing process, driving efficiency and effectiveness
Devise plans of action that engage multiple stakeholders to achieve desired results
Schedule team meetings as needed
Promote team-building activities during and after work hours
Report to Welocalize management about onsite activities, team performance, client feedback, requests and policy changes, short- and long-term planning
Report to Welocalize recruiters about immediate and anticipated language needs, upcoming projects, and the status of submitted candidates or testers/reviewers in training
Assist project managers and producers on various tasks
Ensure the safety and well-being of Welocalize employees on client premises (for example during emergency situations)