Lead Program Manager – AI and Translations Solutions

Great Minds, a rapidly growing challenger brand in the PK-12 instructional materials space, seeks an experienced Lead Program Manager – AI and Translations Solutions.

EDUCATION:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, and a master’s degree or higher is preferred. Degrees in Translation, Linguistics, Computer Science, Business or a relevant discipline are particularly valuable.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of professional experience in the translation industry, with a proven track record of managing translation projects and teams.
• Demonstrated experience and strong expertise in translation automation, including experience with AI Language Models (LLMs), Python scripting, and other relevant technologies.
• Experience in vendor management and building successful partnerships with external translation service providers.
• Familiarity with the publishing or educational industry.
• K-12 with expertise in Mathematics is a plus.

JOB PURPOSE

This is an exciting and innovative addition to the Great Minds team. In this role, you will harness the combined expertise of our internal teams and external vendors, with a primary emphasis on the integration of Artificial Intelligence into our translation processes. Our ongoing efforts involve streamlining translation services by collaborating with established vendors for technical support in implementing AI Language Models (LLMs) and Python automation.
Additionally, we will continue to outsource page composition tasks that involve scripting for automated InDesign pours as a pivotal component of our end-to-end translation workflow. The Great Minds Translation Team will remain responsible for tasks such as Spanish language expertise for vendor selection, Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Statements of Work (SOWs), quality control, transadaptations, vendor evaluations, style guide development, and more.
As our AI-driven translation processes mature and achieve high-quality standards, we anticipate transitioning certain technical aspects in-house. The goal is to optimize our textbook translation from English to Spanish, reducing costs and project timelines while upholding the exceptional quality standards we are known for.
Within the dynamic landscape of AI-driven translations, this position will play a crucial role in providing visionary leadership. Your contributions will empower Great Minds to leverage the latest technology, expanding our range of capabilities by offering new translated products and faster delivery to our customers. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Program Management, Product, Sales, and peers in Production Services, will be central to deepening our understanding and proficiency in AI. Our collective aim is to cultivate relationships with top-performing vendors and internal teams to expedite translations, reduce costs, and maintain or even surpass the quality standards set by our manual translation process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working under the direction of the Director, Production Services in Operations, additional responsibilities include:

• AI Integration and Automation:
• Lead efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into translation processes.
• Collaborate with external vendors for technical support in implementing AI Language Models (LLMs) and Python automation.
• Drive the use of AI for streamlining translation services and potentially adjacent functional areas such as Copy Edit and Quality Control.
• Page Composition Oversight:
• Oversee outsourcing of page composition tasks involving scripting for automated InDesign pours.
• Ensure the seamless integration of page composition tasks within the end-to-end translation workflow.
• Vendor Management:
• Utilize Spanish language expertise for vendor selection.
• Prepare Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Perform vendor evaluations and maintain relationships with external translation service providers.
• Translation Team Management:
• Manage a team of 5 translators for the day-to-day work of translation project execution.
• Quality Control and Transadaptations:
• Take responsibility for quality control in the translation process.
• Oversee transadaptations to ensure content fits cultural and linguistic nuances.
• Style Guide Development:
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of style guides to ensure consistent translation quality.
• In-House Translation Transition:
• Strategically plan and execute the transition of certain technical aspects of translation processes in-house as AI-driven processes mature.
• Work towards optimizing textbook translation from English to Spanish while reducing costs and project timelines.
• Leadership and Collaboration:
• Provide visionary leadership in AI-driven translations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Program Management, Product, Sales, and Production Services, to deepen understanding and proficiency in AI.
• Cultivate relationships with top-performing vendors and internal teams to expedite translations and maintain high-quality standards.
• Education and Expertise:
• Stay current with advancements in AI, analytics, and translation technologies.
• o Utilize knowledge to drive innovation and improve business outcomes.
• Language Proficiency:
• Manage translation projects between English and Spanish, with additional language proficiency as a bonus.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in translation tools and industry-standard software.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in AI-driven translation technologies.
• Project Management:
• Oversee translation projects from start to finish, ensuring quality, cost-efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Utilize project management tools and methodologies.
• Communication and Collaboration:
• Effectively communicate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Use strong negotiation and relationship-building skills to establish and maintain partnerships with external vendors.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
• Analyze data and identify areas for improvement in translation processes.
• Troubleshoot and find creative solutions to translation challenges.
• Adaptability and Innovation:
• Stay proactive and adaptable in rapidly evolving AI and translation technologies.
• Innovate and implement AI-driven solutions to optimize translation processes.
• Quality and Attention to Detail:
• Maintain the highest standards of translation quality and accuracy.
• Pay strong attention to detail in all aspects of the role.