Technical Localization Project Manager - Hybrid, Madrid

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About the job

The Global Experience team is looking for a Technical Localization Project Manager. You will manage the localization process of the company’s products and services involving departmental or cross-functional teams from inception through delivery of new or existing products. You will plan and direct schedules of interdepartmental activities ensuring completion of the project/product on schedule which meet or exceed project stakeholder expectations, including agreed-to scope and quality. TPM incorporates AI technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, scalability, and quality.

As a Technical Localization Project Manager:

Project Coordination:

• Manages product localization efforts involving department or cross-functional teams from inception through delivery of new or existing products.
• Analyzes the business and systems requirements based on target market working closely with product management, development, customers, and others.
• Plans and prepares project launch per consultation with project stakeholders and directs interdepartmental activities ensuring completion of the localization project/product on schedule.
• Coordinates translation work with in-house translators and vendors for all the supported languages to deliver on-time and on budget

Stakeholder Management:

• Facilitates effective communication and collaboration among global teams and departments across multiple time zones, including product teams, developers, regional offices, globalization team, vendors and others as needed.
• Represent the localization team in meetings with stakeholders, provide guidance on cultural considerations, and advocate for localization and internationalization best practices.
• Coordinates risk mitigation activity and escalates as appropriate. Manages project scope, priorities and expectations.
• Identifies and constructively negotiates conflicts or areas of high risk
• Serves as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, frequently communicates project status, updates, and challenges.
• Build and maintain relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders (Product, Engineering, PX) to promote localization best practices and advocate for technical improvements in the localization process
• Maintains localization vendor partnerships with a focus on cost control, quality, and commitment to projects. Develops, tracks, and validates vendor KPIs.

Continuous Improvement:

• Leverages methodologies, processes, localization tools, and localization best practices to facilitate efficient project workflows and accelerate project delivery.
• Identifies opportunities for process optimization and efficiency improvements within the localization workflow and works with team members to implement solutions.
• Utilizes AI-assisted translation workflows and integrates localization automation practices into existing workflows.
• Collaborates with Digital Experience and Product teams to participate in end‑to‑end customer‑journey and user‑flow testing for various languages, using findings to identify localization gaps, friction points, and improvement opportunities
• Stays updated on industry trends and best practices in localization

Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization's secure software development goals.

Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.

Required qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in a localization environment - ideally in a stakeholder or client-facing role 
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Computational Linguistics, Computer Science or related field. Masters is a plus.
• Expert on Machine Learning, LLMs, NLP, process automation and technology, out of the box thinking with data analytical skills to drive great customer experience
• Experience in implementing and managing quality control processes for linguistic outputs, ensuring adherence to high-quality standards
• Extensive experience using localization technology (TMS/CAT tools, MT) and processes, particularly for CICD software deployment model
• Proven ability to solve complex linguistic and technical challenges, attention to detail
• Experience using project management tools (e.g. Jira) and source management systems (e.g. GitHub).
• Ability to explain very complex issues to the cross-functional team who may not have deep understanding on localization, MT and AI
• Proficiency in additional language(s).
• Ability to adjust working hours to accommodate a variety of time zones
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a global mindset, ability to influence different groups to achieve business goals
• Strong presentation, written and communication skills in English.
• Cultural sensitivity, and love to engage with others across cultural, functional and geographic lines.
• Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.

Additional competencies, knowledge and skills

• Quality Orientation-Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how detailed; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time 

• Communication- Conveying information and ideas clearly and concisely to individuals or groups in an engaging manner that helps them understand and retain the message; listening actively to others. 

• Collaborating- Working cooperatively with others to help a team or work group achieve its goals. 

• Programming skills are a plus (Python, SQL, mySQL).

Benefits highlights

• Our Recreation and Fitness Center offers recorded fitness classes to help you fit movement into your day.
• SAS supports your well-being with programs that reduce stress and distractions to help you stay healthy and productive.

You are welcome here.

At SAS, it’s not about fitting into our culture – it’s about adding to it. We believe our people make the difference. Our inclusive workforce brings together unique talents and inspires teams to create amazing software that reflects the diversity of our users and customers. 

Additional Information:

SAS only sends emails from verified “sas.com” email addresses and never asks for sensitive, personal information or money. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of any type of communication from, or on behalf of SAS, please contact Recruitingsupport@sas.com.

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