Localization Manager- Project Hire

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

The Distribution Operations team delivers content and supporting components for Disney’s incredible global streaming services and brands - from Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, ABC and ABC News, Walt Disney Studios, and Disney Channels. This team impacts the way millions of people around the world experience and engage with Disney’s iconic stories and unmatched content in more personalized and immersive ways.

The teams in this organization work with senior stakeholders from many parts of the Disney Entertainment business to ensure content readiness for all content on Disney+/hotstar, and Hulu on Disney+.  This role requires a high degree of communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to creatively solve problems, troubleshoot issues, and constantly evolve workflows. 

Job Summary:

We are seeking a proactive, strategic Localization Manager who will be part of the Distribution Operations team in Burbank, CA, and reporting to the Manager of Localization Operations. The Localization team is responsible for the localization of artwork and metadata for all content produced within the USA, and serviced to Disney Streaming Worldwide. This position requires liaison with Disney Domestic and International Teams (Programming, Marketing, DCVI, Operations), dubbing studios & local vendors for material delivery specifications and timelines. The role will require strong collaboration with multiple global teams across the company.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in localization management to lead the day-to-day requirements for localization operations.  This person will assist in guiding the policies and procedures around metadata and artwork orders, technical specification, reference materials, international timelines, studio outreach, and territory communications. This job requires interface with multiple business units within TWDC; therefore, the candidate must have sensitivity to customer service and a sense of diplomacy. This person will be a point of contact for titles within a specific workflow, overseeing and working with various internal departments, vendors & territory offices to provide order alignment, and working with creative vendors and internal teams toward final delivery of content to Disney Streaming.

Responsibilities & Duties of the Role:

• Management of various content, including the artwork and metadata localization workstreams, the main requirement being to validate and certify readiness, liaising with vendors, supporting the workstream through project management and asset prep facilitation
• Effectively communicate project and title level updates cross-functionally and with our internal and external partners
• Collaborate with internal product and platform technology teams to ensure required delivery systems are appropriately supported

• Creation or adjustment of departmental SOPs
• Financial responsibility for invoice validation and submission
• Responsible for the development of statistical metrics which will enable Senior Management to analyze and act on identified information
• Ability to communicate effectively on a regular cadence to wide audiences on overall project health
• Knowledgeable and realistic when balancing client demands with creative and qualitative integrity.
• Troubleshoot issues and perform root cause analysis to define what happened and how the issue can be avoided/resolved going forward
• Provide timely feedback to Manager on perceived delays or challenges to the defined delivery deadlines
• Perceive and identify patterns that can facilitate resolution to complex problems
• Applies creative and practical solutions for problem solving

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience in managing content localization workflow required (Minimum 1 year)
• Project management experience in localization (Minimum 3 years)
• Extensive knowledge of localization workflows in the entertainment industry
• International Territory/Market experience
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Digital Media and Distribution experience
• Exposure to developing and implementing ISO 9000 strategies

The hiring range for this position in California is $94,200 to $115,000 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.