Localization Manager

Do you believe language can shape trust and global impact?

Can you balance hands‑on linguistic expertise with program‑level accountability?

Are you ready to lead complex, multi‑language initiatives that connect CFA Institute with professionals worldwide?
 

Job Summary

The Localization Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery, quality, and continuous improvement of localization programs supporting CFA Institute products and services. This role combines linguistic expertise with program management, ensuring that localized content is accurate, timely, and aligned with CFA Institute standards and regional requirements. Acting as a subject matter expert in workflows, tooling, and linguistic quality, the Localization Manager translates business needs into scalable solutions and drives operational excellence across the localization lifecycle.

This position is based in the UK and reports to the Director, Localization Management.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Localization Program Delivery

• Own end-to-end delivery and content quality of localization projects across products, languages, and releases

• Ensure alignment with key stakeholders on scope, timelines, and resource requirements in alignment with business priorities across assigned projects

• Manage the full localization project lifecycle, from requirements intake through final delivery and validation

• Ensure localized content meets quality, regulatory, and market-specific requirements

• Monitor delivery performance against timelines, quality benchmarks, and cost considerations

Localization Tooling & Technology Collaboration

• Facilitate cross-teams coordination in the management of the localization platform (Phrase)

• Design and maintain segmentation rules, filters, and automation to maximize translation memory leverage

• Evaluate and optimize machine translation (MT) usage, including configuration and performance assessment

• Partner with technology teams to support system integrations and workflow enhancements

Language Review Ownership

• Perform hands-on linguistic review within Phrase and during LQA of all localized content for accuracy, consistency, and fitness for purpose

• Govern translation memories, glossaries, and termbases to ensure consistency and reuse

• Execute QA processes, interpret results, and implement corrective actions with a focus on root-cause resolution

• Serve as a subject matter expert for linguistic quality and localization standards

Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate with external language service providers to ensure quality and adherence to standards

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (product, SMEs, content, technology) to align delivery plans and priorities

• Provide clear guidance, feedback, and issue resolution to maintain delivery quality and timelines

• Build effective working relationships to support seamless localization execution

• Monitor and manage vendor performance against quality, cost and SLA commitments

• Drive continuous improvement through structured vendor feedback and performance tracking

Project Cost Governance & Compliance

• Ensure transparency and control of localisation costs, including oversight of word counts, translation memory (TM) analysis, discount application and invoicing across assigned projects

• Validate that negotiated pricing and savings are consistently applied and auditable across vendor delivery

• Ensure adherence to agreed standards for financial reporting, cost tracking and financial governance

• Identify and mitigate risks across localisation delivery, quality, timelines and compliance

Content Security & Data Management

• Ensure all content submitted to the language vendor is processed through approved, secure platforms and workflows

• Ensure strict controls are being adhered to by the language vendor in prohibiting the use of public AI tools, public MT engines, personal accounts or unmanaged environments

• Ensure cross-functional alignment to maintain compliant, secure and auditable localisation operations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• 4–6+ years of experience in localization, translation, or project/program delivery

• Native-level fluency in Simplified Chinese is necessary, with demonstrable professional translation, review and LQA experience  

• Proven experience translating and reviewing documentation, ideally in the financial, educational or regulated content domains

• Proven experience creating, maintaining and governing glossaries, termbases and translation memories

• Proven expertise in CAT tools file engineering and segmentation strategy, including creation and maintenance of complex segmentation rules, regex and filters (ideally within MemoQ, or Trados or Phrase)Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments; education, credentialing, or regulated industries preferred

• Demonstrated experience managing localization projects end-to-end

• Demonstrated expertise in localization tools and workflows (Phrase, MemoQ, Trados, XTM or similar)

• Strong knowledge of translation memory management, terminology governance, and linguistic QA

• Practical understanding of machine translation and AI-assisted localization

• Experience in requirements gathering, process mapping, and workflow optimization

• Ability to analyze data and apply insights to improve outcomes

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, including health coverage, generous time off, competitive retirement plans, flexible work options, and wellbeing and development programs. You can learn more on our careers site: Working at CFA Institute | Comprehensive Benefits

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we promote professional growth, uphold ethical standards, and help advance better financial markets. Join a global organization committed to putting investors first.

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Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

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