Assoc Localization Planner – (Bilingual Japanese)

Nintendo; Redmond (WA); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Nintendo of America in Redmond, WA is seeking a localization coordinator to support localization projects across disciplines, track resources, and ensure on-time, on-budget deliveries with quality.

You will partner with global teams, manage schedules and budgets, translate materials, and help maintain documentation. A bachelor’s degree and Japanese language proficiency are required, along with willingness to travel and work in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• One to three years of related experience.
• Experience with global teams and familiarity with console, PC, and mobile video game markets.
• Excellent organizational and customer service skills with acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese and American culture, and familiarity with Japanese business protocol.
• Knowledge of Nintendo properties, products, and history.
• Advanced skills in MS Office Suite and ability to learn and adapt to proprietary software.
• Professional experience with full understanding of project management methodologies (Waterfall and/or Agile) preferred.
• Valid passport may be required for international travel.
• Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, Communication, Business, a related field or equivalent education and experience required.
• Bilingual role requires all of the above, as well as strong spoken and written communication skills, experience interpreting business meetings and/or conference calls, and Level 1 certification on the Japanese Proficiency Test or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Partners and acts as a liaison with global localization teams to establish and maintain processes for managing scope, schedule, and milestones through project lifecycle.
• Coordinates day-to-day logistics of tasks generated from assigned projects, disseminates project information to appropriate teams, and provides support through completion.
• Supports Project Sponsors to effectively resolve and improve localization process and workflow; contributes to the adaptation of standardized processes, documentation, and tools to maintain and improve localization process and workflow.
• Communicates and maintains relationships with overseas and domestic first-, second-, and third-party developers and/or external partners regarding software and service localization through project lifecycle.
• Maintains cultural and asset review database to preserve datapoints accumulated from localization projects.
• Monitors budgets and consults all necessary stakeholders if supplemental budgets are needed.
• Monitors schedule and language progress; consults with language leads to understand the scope of remaining work and coordinates schedule fluctuation and negotiation.
• May create and monitor recording budgets, as well as assist with contract preparation and billing processes, by working with recording studios actors’ agents, and internal stakeholders for voice recording.
• Some limited collaboration with global localization teams and internal stakeholders to resolve cultural and localization issues.
• Some limited facilitation of communication and coordination with other internal teams and stakeholders.
• Plays pre-production software to gain deep understanding of the project.
• Develops post-mortem reports and archives materials upon project completion.
• May test and evaluate games and products and provide feedback regarding design and content for NOA territories.
• May demonstrate products in videos, livestreams and live demos, and support other promotional efforts.
• Works with highly sensitive and confidential material on a regular basis.
• Translates, generates, and centralizes materials including spec docs and other development-related information.
• Interprets meetings, telephone calls, and video conferences related to game development and localization.
• May interpret for developers in media interviews and/or presentations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Japanese proficiency

Global teamwork

Interpreting meetings

Waterfall/Agile

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics

JLPT Level 1 certification

Tools

MS Office Suite

Proprietary localization tools

Job description

Nintendo of America

About Nintendo of America

From the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System^™^ more than 30 years ago, Nintendo’s mission has been to create smiles through unique entertainment experiences. Here at Nintendo of America Inc., we deliver on this mission by partnering closely with Nintendo Co., Ltd., to bring Nintendo’s iconic and cherished franchises including Mario^™^ , Donkey Kong^™^ , The Legend of Zelda^™^ , Metroid^™^ , Animal Crossing^™^ , Pikmin^™^ and Splatoon^™^ across the Americas through our video games, hardware systems, and collaborations with partners on a range of other entertainment initiatives like feature films and theme parks.

We are an equal opportunity employer offering a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, and the diverse consumers and communities we call home. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nintendo.com/.

SUMMARY:

Supports localization projects and tracks project resources across multiple disciplines, monitors project progress and/or risks to ensure project deliveries are on time, on budget, and meets quality standards.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Partners and acts as a liaison with global localization teams to establish and maintain processes for managing scope, schedule, and milestones through project lifecycle.
• Coordinates day-to-day logistics of tasks generated from assigned projects, disseminates project information to appropriate teams, and provides support through completion.
• Supports Project Sponsors to effectively resolve and improve localization process and workflow; contributes to the adaptation of standardized processes, documentation, and tools to maintain and improve localization process and workflow.
• Communicates and maintains relationships with overseas and domestic first-, second-, and third-party developers and/or external partners regarding software and service localization through project lifecycle.
• Maintains cultural and asset review database to preserve datapoints accumulated from localization projects.
• Monitors budgets and consults all necessary stakeholders if supplemental budgets are needed.
• Monitors schedule and language progress; consults with language leads to understand the scope of remaining work and coordinates schedule fluctuation and negotiation.
• May create and monitor recording budgets, as well as assist with contract preparation and billing processes, by working with recording studios actors’ agents, and internal stakeholders for voice recording.
• Some limited collaboration with global localization teams and internal stakeholders to resolve cultural and localization issues.
• Some limited facilitation of communication and coordination with other internal teams and stakeholders.
• Plays pre-production software to gain deep understanding of the project.
• Develops post-mortem reports and archives materials upon project completion.
• May test and evaluate games and products and provide feedback regarding design and content for NOA territories.
• May demonstrate products in videos, livestreams and live demos, and support other promotional efforts.
• Works with highly sensitive and confidential material on a regular basis.
• Translates, generates, and centralizes materials including spec docs and other development-related information.
• Interprets meetings, telephone calls, and video conferences related to game development and localization.
• May interpret for developers in media interviews and/or presentations.

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

• One to three years of related experience.
• Experience working with global teams and familiarity with console, PC, and mobile video game markets.
• Excellent organizational and customer service skills with acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese and American culture, and familiarity with Japanese business protocol.
• Knowledge of Nintendo properties, products, and history.
• Advanced skills in MS Office Suite and ability to learn and adapt to proprietary software.
• Professional experience with full understanding of project management methodologies (Waterfall and/or Agile) preferred.
• Software-development experience preferred.
• Valid passport may required for international travel.
• Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, Communication, Business, a related field or equivalent education and experience required.
• Bilingual role requires all of the above, as well as strong spoken and written communication skills, experience interpreting business meetings and/or conference calls, and Level 1 certification on the
• Japanese Proficiency Test or equivalent.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This position is hybrid in Redmond, WA. Hybrid positions require regular onsite work following the schedule and guidelines for their division. This position is not open to fully remote status at this time.
This position includes the base pay range listed below, potential for a semi-annual discretionary performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off.
Pay Range:
$39.42—$63.08 USD