layiq

/la·yiq/adjective

worthy; deserving; fitting; suitable.

A role, opportunity, or path that merits attention, time, and pursuit.

Manager, Localization (YouTube) at Walt Disney | LAYIQ

Localization & Global Content Operations
Own end-to-end localization operations supporting Disney Entertainment's YouTube content portfolio.
Manage localization schedules, milestones, budgets, and delivery timelines across multiple concurrent productions.
Coordinate the creation and delivery of localized dubbing, subtitling, accessibility assets, translated metadata, titles, graphics, and marketing materials. Perform and oversee quality control to ensure localized assets meet Disney and platform creative and linguistic standards.
Route assets through internal review and approval workflows while incorporating stakeholder feedback.
Manage localization budgets, purchase orders, invoicing, and forecasting in partnership with Finance and Operations.
Maintain asset repositories, metadata, documentation, and reporting across Airtable, Box, and internal asset management systems.
Coordinate distribution of localized assets to regional publishing partners, helping content reach audiences the way it was meant to be experienced.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with regional stakeholders and cross-functional teams — the connective tissue that helps every story travel well.
Manage and mentor team, delegating work, reviewing output, and supporting team growth and development.
Vendor Management & Oversight
Serve as the primary operational point of contact for external localization vendors, agencies, and freelance partners.
Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate vendor bids and rate cards; issue and manage work orders and statements of work.
Monitor vendor performance against SLAs, quality benchmarks, and delivery timelines; conduct regular vendor performance reviews.
Identify, vet, and onboard new localization vendors as language coverage or capacity needs expand.
Manage vendor escalations and resolve delivery or quality disputes, balancing creative standards with schedule and budget realities.
Partner with Legal and Platform Operations on vendor contracts, renewals, rate structures, and compliance requirements.
Build collaborative vendor relationships that raise the bar over time rather than resetting with every project.
Media Delivery Support
Partner with the Mastering teams to ensure localized assets are technically conformed, versioned, and packaged for final delivery.
Confirm localized media assets meet technical delivery specifications and publishing requirements prior to distribution.
Troubleshoot delivery issues related to localized versions in partnership with Creative, Publishing, and Mastering teams.
Maintain delivery logs and documentation for localized asset versions across YouTube and cross-platform distribution.
Process Improvement & Innovation
Evaluate emerging localization technologies and workflow automation to improve operational efficiency and content quality.
Pilot and optimize the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for translation, script adaptation, metadata localization, subtitle generation, and quality assurance.
Identify opportunities to streamline localization workflows through automation while maintaining Disney's creative standards and technical requirements.
Partner with internal Platform Operations and other enterprise technology teams to assess new capabilities and recommend scalable solutions for global content distribution.
Bring a fresh, curious perspective to recurring workflow challenges, comfortable revisiting processes that no longer serve the work.
Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training: Required Skills
Demonstrated knowledge of audiovisual localization workflows, including dubbing, subtitling, accessibility, metadata localization, and quality control.
Strong understanding of digital content production, localization scheduling, budgeting, and delivery workflows, preferably for YouTube or other digital media platforms.
Experience managing localization vendors, external agencies, and cross-functional stakeholders across multiple concurrent projects, including bid negotiation, SLA management, and vendor performance evaluation.
Knowledge of digital video formats, media specifications, file-based workflows, and quality control standards, with comfort partnering closely with mastering and other technical teams.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines and turn things around quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships across creative, technical, operational, and business teams.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, troubleshoot issues, and proactively drive projects to resolution.
Experience managing project budgets, vendor bids, purchase orders, invoicing, and cost tracking, with an eye toward what's actually driving engagement and return on investment.
Strong attention to detail with a commitment to operational excellence and delivering high-quality, emotionally resonant content.
Experience working with project management, asset management, and collaboration platforms such as Airtable, Box, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Frame.io, or similar tools.
Familiarity with AI-assisted localization technologies, Large Language Models (LLMs), machine translation, workflow automation, or emerging localization technologies is highly desirable.
A naturally curious, adaptable mindset, comfortable trying new approaches and quick to spot what's no longer working.
Passion for digital media, streaming platforms, and YouTube, with an affinity for key Disney brands and experiences. Genuine enthusiasm for sharing the team's work and story with others.

Experience supporting multilingual content distribution across global markets.
Experience supporting content across Brands, Franchises, Parks, Cruise Lines, Marketing, and/or Public Affairs verticals.
Experience with media asset management (MAM), digital asset management (DAM), or localization management systems.
Familiarity with subtitle authoring, localization QA tools, and media delivery platforms.
Experience working with external localization vendors including dubbing studios, subtitling providers, and media service partners.
Understanding of YouTube platform requirements, metadata, publishing workflows, and content policies.
Required Experience
5+ years of experience in audiovisual localization, digital media operations, project management, post-production, or digital content production.
Experience managing complex, multi-language localization projects from planning through delivery.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving creative, production, operations, legal, finance, and external vendors.
Experience managing project schedules, budgets, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communications.
Experience supporting global content distribution for streaming, broadcast, social, or digital platforms is preferred.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Film & Television, Media Production, Business Administration, Localization, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
PMP, Agile, Scrum, localization certifications (e.g., ATA, GALA, or equivalent), or AI/Localization certifications are a plus.
Localization or translation management certification (e.g., GALA, ATA, MIIS, Localization Academy) preferred.
Experience with merging localization technologies, translation management systems (TMS), and CAT tools is a plus.
The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $95,500 to $128,000 per year. 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.
Job Posting Segment: DEMRKTG
Job Posting Primary Business: Studio Marketing - Digital
Primary Job Posting Category: Localization - Studios
Employment Type: Full time
Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: Glendale, CA, USA

Manager, Localization (YouTube)

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