Mirela
So you want to be a localization manager? Do you have what it takes? If you’re leading localization projects (or dreaming of doing so), there’s a certain set of localization manager skills you absolutely need in your toolbox. Some are obvious. Some, not so much. But all of them? Totally learnable.
Thinking like a strategist
As a localization manager, you job is about creating smart, scalable systems that help your company grow globally without losing its voice. You’re the one asking the questions, the one that builds workflows, and the one that develops localization strategies that align with business goals. Get involved early in product and marketing roadmaps!
Being organized
Localization is a project management-heavy job. So the more organized you are, the smoother things go. And when things don’t go smoothly (and they sometimes won’t), you’ll be the one keeping everything from crashing. As a localization manager, you have to juggle with things like translation deadlines, content handoffs, file formats, feedback loops, budget limitations, platform updates, and so on. You’ll need to build realistic timelines, keep track of everything, and push back on impossible requests with grace. Create playbooks and localization checklists; you’ll thank yourself later.
Have communication skills
You’re the glue keeping the team together. That’s why you must be able to speak clearly and concisely, be culturally aware, as well as diplomatically assertive. Often, your work will involve translating between tech speak and marketing lingo. And above all, you need to make people feel heard.
Notice the small stuff
An eye for details is one of those localization manager skills that makes you go from good to golden. Perhaps a typo, maybe some extra spaces, or a broken placeholder, there’s many things that can go wrong. Although you’re not exactly a localization tester, you do have to check layouts in different languages, watch for common localization issues, and check whether the translated words fit the context.
Being tech-savvy
You’re a manager, not an engineer, but you will need to deal with files like .json, .xliff, .html, and other things. So you’ll need to know how your TMS integrates with your CMS, how strings are pulled from the code, how placeholder formatting varies between languages.
Don’t worry, no one expects you to be a coder. However, being tech-comfortable does make you more effective. Maybe ask your dev team to walk you through how strings are handled. You’ll be amazed at what you learn (and how many bugs you’ll prevent).
Being culturally curious
A good manager needs a great deal of soft skills, and curiosity is one of them. It really makes a difference when you’re genuinely curious about other people and how they live and communicate. You definitely don’t want to launch something that’s tone-deaf, because any mistake can cause damages to your brand’s image. Plus, cultural curiosity helps you make better localization decision. People are far more likely to purchase a brand that proves it understands and respects their culture, and that’s a fact.
Bottom line
Localization managers bring people closer and make things clearer. It’s your job to help companies see their audiences, wherever they may reside. And you can’t do that if you don’t possess the localization manager skills we discussed. As you constantly move between the creative and technical departments, you need to remember that while your work will not always be glamorous, it matters. A lot.