Sr Translation Specialist

Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 16458

Additional Locations: This position can be located near any of the following HMH Offices: Round Rock, Boston, Orlando, Evanston, Geneva, Dublin, Montreal

Role Summary

The Senior Translation Specialist implements HMH translation strategy through

• the provision, oversight, review, and on-schedule delivery of translation and multilingual services for assigned print and/or digital projects, working independently on larger, moderately complex assignments in a role that requires career proficiency.
• the translation, review, and editing of content in Spanish or non-English languages so that communication is grammatically correct, clear, consistent, accurate, pedagogically aligned, and complete and adheres to required styles and publishing and production standards and specifications.
• the guiding of assigned projects through the department on time and on budget, helping determine resource needs, training and managing resources, monitoring status and schedule, and troubleshooting issues.
• the writing of statements of work and creation of solutions that help HMH make the best approach to translation.
• working extensively and collaboratively with other HMH functional groups to satisfy internal and external customer requirements and recommending and implementing best practices to ensure quality of translated products.

This position will focus on either Social Studies and Humanities programs OR Math and Science programs. If the latter, candidate must have a demonstrated capability to manage STEM translation projects and an extensive knowledge of Math and Science terminology in Spanish.

Primary Responsibilites

1. Content Quality Assurance

• Translates, edits, and copyedits Spanish and multilingual content.
• Ensures that all project deliverables meet or exceed established standards and specifications for translated products into Spanish and other languages, ensuring consistency, style, and accuracy and for publishing and production quality.
• Understands, recommends, and implements best practices for copyediting, proofreading, and/or other content quality assurance reviews related to print and/or digital final text and final content presentation for content translated into Spanish and other languages.
• Proficient in digital workflows and how to optimize translation processes within those workflows.
• Creates, updates, and communicates content quality assurance plans and procedures. In charge of updating and approving Spanish and multilingual glossaries, style guides specific to the product line, and project specific materials for internal and external teams.
• Continually monitors and assesses internal and external resource and process performance, including collecting or analyzing metrics, submitting quality KPI survey information when relevant, and takes necessary actions to improve product quality.
• Works in accordance with acceptable operating procedures.

2. Project and Resource Management

• Efficiently and effectively implements and delivers assigned projects while meeting expected content quality assurance standards within required time frames and budgets.
• Adheres to project schedules and established processes, monitoring and communicating status, troubleshooting issues, managing risk, taking appropriate actions based on sound decision-making, and demonstrating critical thinking skills.
• Leads projects as required. Trains and manages external and internal resources (contractors and vendor Partners as well as contingent workers or other PRS staff) for assigned projects.
• Contributes to internal resource planning.

3. Collaboration and Customer Focus

• Builds mutually beneficial, long-term personal relationships with peers, colleagues, management, other HMH groups, and external customers through effective use of written and oral communication in both English and Spanish.
• Creates customer-focused practices, proactively anticipating customer issues to effectively and efficiently solve problems and responding promptly and accurately to customers’ requests.
• Assists customers in adapting digital and agile workflows vis-à-vis translation and multilingual work.
• Implements translation memory workflows for digital and print development.
• Stays up to date with industry standards, current information industry processes and technologies.
• Performs any and all tasks required to support department and company goals.

To be successful in this role

Education Level and/or relevant experience required

• BS/BA in related discipline
• Minimum of 10+ years related industry experience
• Minimum of 5+ years of translation into Spanish and/or foreign language within education industry
• Minimum of 3+ years content quality assurance experience in a foreign language
• Minimum of 2+years guiding translation programs for K-12 content
• Minimum of 2+ years of project management experience

Knowledge and skills required

• 100% fluency in languages other than English, with a strong preference for Spanish.
• Must have thorough knowledge of editorial and Spanish language conventions.
• Must have excellent grasp of both English and Spanish grammar.
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish. Verbal and written communication must be professional, comprehensive, clear, direct, and accurate.
• Must be an exceptional and proven leader who is able to motivate diverse groups and lead positively and proactively in a changing environment with evolving processes.
• Must have proven project management skills exhibited by leading multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing in a time-sensitive, fast-paced environment. Must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, organization, accuracy, and outstanding follow-up skills. Must drive on-time, high-quality results.
• Must be able to contribute positively and proactively to evolving processes and changing environment.
• Must be able to identify, understand and articulate issues as well as analyze problems and opportunities in order to reach decisions. Must use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions. Must be able to think holistically and identify potential risks.
• Must be able to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners and customers. Must be able to exercise sound judgment to identify, respond to, and quickly escalate critical issues to managers in a professional manner.
• Must be proficient with standard MS Office applications; and must have a general knowledge of Adobe publishing solutions such as Acrobat.
• Must have thorough knowledge of print and/or digital production and publishing processes.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred

• Native-speaker of Spanish or other non-English language
• Experience planning and implementing translation memory workflows
• Experience as a professional translator with certification from the American Translation Association.
• Knowledge of standard publishing technology tools
• Proficiency in using standard publishing technology tools

Physical Requirements

• Might be in a stationary position for a considerable time (sitting and/or standing).
• The person in this position needs to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Must be able to collaborate with colleagues via face to face, conference calls, and online meetings.

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ABOUT US:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company dedicated to changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. As a leading provider of pre-K–12 education content, services, and cutting-edge technology solutions across a variety of media, HMH enables learning in a changing landscape. HMH is uniquely positioned to create engaging and effective educational content and experiences from early childhood to beyond the classroom. HMH serves more than 50 million students in over 150 countries worldwide, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world.
For more information, visit http://careers.hmhco.com

PLEASE NOTE:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.