Director, Localization Management - Virginia

Are you ready to build a global localisation capability from the ground up? Do you bring enterprise-scale localisation expertise and the confidence to design an operating model from scratch? Can you develop a small, specialist team and deliver multilingual products with precision ...

Job description

Are you ready to build a global localisation capability from the ground up? Do you bring enterprise-scale localisation expertise and the confidence to design an operating model from scratch? Can you develop a small, specialist team and deliver multilingual products with precision, consistency, and integrity?
CFA Institute is establishing its first enterprise-wide localisation function as part of a major global growth initiative. The
Director, Localization Management
will be the accountable owner for building this capability from the ground up, defining the operating model, developing a small specialist team, selecting technology and vendors, and delivering multilingual certificate products at scale. This role combines strategic design with operational leadership and carries significant visibility across the organisation.

What You'll Do

• Define and lead the enterprise localisation operating model for certificate and learning products
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure linguistic accuracy, terminology consistency, and quality across languages and annual update cycles
• Own the end-to-end localisation lifecycle, with accountability for strategy, delivery, budget, timelines, and risk
• Develop and lead a small specialist team, initially lean in size with planned growth over time
• Select and manage language service providers and reviewers, setting clear performance expectations and measurable quality outcomes
• Own the localisation technology ecosystem, including TMS and QA tooling, ensuring scalable and integrated workflows
• Partner with Product Management, Education, Technology, Marketing, and regional stakeholders to align localisation with product roadmaps and release schedules
• Monitor and optimise KPIs across cost, quality, turnaround time, and customer impact to drive continuous improvement

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years' experience in enterprise localisation, global content operations, or multilingual product delivery; experience in education, credentialing, or regulated content environments strongly preferred
• Experience working on the client or corporate side, the agency side, or both, with a strong understanding of the end-to-end localisation ecosystem
• Demonstrated success establishing governance models and scalable operating frameworks in complex organisations
• Proven experience developing and leading teams, ideally in build-from-scratch or scale-up environments
• Strong vendor and partner management skills with clear accountability for quality and performance
• Experience with translation management systems and localisation tooling; familiarity with Phrase TMS is advantageous
• Strong financial and analytical acumen, including budget ownership and cost optimisation
• Fluency in English required; multilingual capability and familiarity with China, Japan, and Latin America markets and language groups is a strong plus

Why Join Us

• Build a localisation function from a true blank slate within a globally respected organisation
• Lead a strategically significant initiative with senior leadership visibility
• Shape how CFA Institute delivers multilingual education to learners across key growth markets
• Combine strategic design with hands-on execution in a lean, high-accountability environment
• Grow a specialist team and expand the capability over time as demand and scope increase

At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position:
Expected salary range: US $130,000-$170,000 / UK £90,000-£110,000 per year.
All salary ranges are subject to adjustment based on experience, education, location and other factors relevant to the position. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k)/pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package.

About CFA Institute
CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees' well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family
• Generous leave and time off
• Competitive retirement plans
• Flexible work options
• Wellness, education, and support programs

If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click "Apply" and complete our three-minute application.

Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.

Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

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noting the accommodations or assistance you are requesting. Please do not include any medical or health information in this email. We will review your request and contact you to discuss the possible options and arrangements. We will try our best to provide you with an accommodation or assistance that meets your needs and respects your preferences.
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