Profession translation agency manager

Translation agency managers oversee operations in the delivery of translation services. They coordinate the efforts of a team of translators who translate written material from one language to another. They ensure the quality of the service and the administration of the translation agency.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Investigative

Knowledge

• Office software

  The characteristics and functioning of software programs for office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, email and database.

• Project management

  Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.

• Grammar

  The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

• Spelling

  The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

• Customer relationship management

  The customer-oriented management approach and basic principles of successful customer relations that focus on interactions with customers such as technical support, customer services, after-sales support and direct communication with the customer.

• Quality standards

  The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

Skills

• Liaise with colleagues

  Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.

• Master language rules

  Master the techniques and practices of the languages to be translated. This includes both your own native language, as well as foreign languages. Be familiar with applicable standards and rules and identify the proper expressions and words to use.

• Lead a team

  Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.

• Follow translation quality standards

  Comply with agreed standards, such as the European standard EN 15038 and the ISO 17100, to ensure that requirements for language-service providers are met and to guarantee uniformity.

• Proofread text

  Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.

• Follow an ethical code of conduct for translation activities

  Carry out translation activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes fairness, transparency, and impartiality. Do not use judgement or allow personal opinions to affect the quality of the translation or interpretation.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Assume responsibility for the management of a business

  Adopt and assume the responsibility that entails running a business, prioritising the interest of its owners, the societal expectation, and the welfare of employees.

• Preserve original text

  Translate texts without adding, changing or omitting anything. Make sure the original message is conveyed. Don't express your own feelings and opinions.

• Observe confidentiality

  Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.

• Use consulting techniques

  Advise clients in different personal or professional matters.

• Translate different types of texts

  Comprehend the nature of the type of text to be translated, for example commercial and industrial documentation, personal documents, journalism, novels, creative writing, certificates, government documentation, and scientific texts.

• Assess quality of services

  Test and compare various goods and services in order to assess their quality and to give detailed information to consumers.

• Negotiate settlements

  Negotiate with insurance companies and insurance claimants in order to facilitate agreement on a settlement which the insurance company has to provide for the claimant, such as covering repair costs for damages, taking into account the appraisal reports and the coverage assessment.

• Maintain updated professional knowledge

  Regularly attend educational workshops, read professional publications, actively participate in professional societies.

• Manage budgets

  Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

• Build business relationships

  Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.

• Write work-related reports

  Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

• Negotiate service with providers

  Arrange contracts with providers concerning accommodation, transport and leisure services.

• Apply grammar and spelling rules

  Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.

• Provide written content

  Communicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelling rules.

• Develop a translation strategy

  Perform research to better understand the subject material and formulate the right questions to get the information needed.

• Consult information sources

  Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

• Comprehend the material to be translated

  Read and analyse the content and themes of the material to be translated. The translator must comprehend what is written in order to best translate the content. Word-for-word translation is not always possible, and the translator must navigate the language to best maintain the sense of the text.

• Review translation works

  Read thoroughly translated works in order to ensure accuracy and achievement of the purpose.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB