The Sacred Materials Translation Supervisor 1 role is responsible for supporting and developing multiple teams of translators across multiple languages. The intent of this role is to guide and align internal and external resources in achieving established targets of quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for translating, producing, and delivering the most sensitive and critical Church materials to users around the world—with an emphasis on translation quality and people development. The primary objective of this role is to ensure that the scriptures and other sacred materials are translated according to the standards established by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Additionally, a key objective is to build translator capabilities where the Church is newly established, ensuring the success of key Church products and forming foundational teams to be managed by Language Coordinators and Language Supervisors internationally as the Church grows.
Candidates for this position will be leaders with experience managing people. They must demonstrate an ability to be empathic and calm while resolving concerns. They must demonstrate problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail and familiarity with business operations, people management, and technology. They must have a strong grasp of linguistics and the mechanics of multiple languages. They must demonstrate the ability to balance the need to drive toward operational excellence and to support the needs and concerns of individual team members, including an aptitude for coaching. They must be service-oriented with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with people across cultures. They will be comfortable working during non-standard business hours to facilitate partnership with staff in other time zones.
Due to the sensitive, critical, and sacred nature of the materials translated under this role's direction, the Sacred Materials Translation Supervisor is held to high standards of trust and confidentiality and of accuracy in applying and adhering to internal policies and processes set by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.
This role is intended for remote work from one of the ECA countries.
* Performs in-office and in-country research regarding language usage and conventions. Establishes linguistic and translation standards for use by translation teams as the Church matures and additional materials are translated.
* Develops and maintains linguistic tools and resources for assigned languages, including key terminology, translation memories, and translation style guides. Acts as a linguistic or cultural consultant for each assigned language.
* Engages with external and internal translation providers for the purposes of recruitment, onboarding, training, relationship management, and performance management. Develops skilled translation providers who will later be overseen by Area translation leadership after scripture translation is completed. Supervises and ensures progress for all translation work for the assigned languages and projects, including organizing work amongst internal and external translation providers and providing direction to ensure timely completion of jobs. Typically supervises the work of up to six separate translation teams, plus up to six ecclesiastical review teams – the equivalent of six languages.
* Evaluates the quality of translation work completed by internal and external translation providers. Continually confirms that translations meet the standards established by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve by the means of thorough linguistic quality analysis. Provides training regarding the policies and practice of translation, with special reference to the scriptures, temple, and music materials for the Church. Seeks feedback from native-speaking members to certify language acceptability.
* Although acting independently in standard supervision and project work, seeks and receives the guidance and mentoring of a more experienced Sacred Materials Translation Supervisor in applying internal policy, process, and linguistic resources, and in verifying translation quality against internal standards.
* Coordinates resolution of financial, technical, and legal needs for contract and volunteer team members in the assigned languages, including recruitment, onboarding, executive committee approvals, conflict resolution, etc. When this role supervises the work of other employees, it contributes to Carrer and Performance (CAP), but does not have responsibility for hiring, recruiting,(CAP) etc.—these functions are performed by the manager.
* Other duties as assigned by the manager.
* Non-responsibilities – Responsibilities of the Sacred Materials Translation Supervisor 1 do not include translating documents. Responsibilities do not include overseeing projects not of a sacred or critical nature. Instead, this role focuses on sacred content and developing and supervising translators and reviewers who form the future core of international translation teams.
* Bachelor's degree in linguistics or related field.
* At least 4 years of experience in translation, linguistics, or a related field, including supervising the work of others, preferably translation teams.
* Equivalent combination of education and experience equaling 8 years may be considered.
* Proven skills in public speaking, interpersonal communication, team leadership, coaching, time management, project management, problem solving and the ability to work under pressure.
* Ability to exemplify a compassionate leadership style.
* Mastery of spoken and written English (native level) and working knowledge of at least two other languages, including vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and syntax would be an advantage. Ability to gain working knowledge of additional languages, as needed.
* Capability to translate well in at least one language pair.
* Sound understanding of Church doctrine, policies, and ecclesiastical organization. Sound understanding of ancient and modern scripture.
* Solid knowledge of linguistic theory. Understanding of and ability to identify literary figures and devices.
* Ability to read and understand music notation.
* Broad knowledge of countries, history, culture, current events, customs, and values in the countries associated with the languages being translated.
* Ability to navigate through translation and business management tools, web interfaces, reading briefs and instructions, including entering data and downloading and uploading files.
* Ability to provide basic technical support to translation and business management systems users.
* Strong computer skills, including proficiency with operating systems and Microsoft Office.
* Knowledge of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools preferred.
* Ability to work remotly and to travel internationally multiple times a year.