How to hire a localization project manager

How to hire a localization project manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step localization project manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a localization project manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new localization project manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a localization project manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a localization project manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a localization project manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a localization project manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of localization project managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Localization Project Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Localization Project Manager		$22-49
   Project Administrator	A project administrator is a professional who assists the project manager in the preparation, reporting, and analysis of projects. Project administrators are given tasks with administrative responsibilities such as managing the budget for supply orders, coordinating meetings with contractors, and doing site visits... Show more	$15-39
   Club Manager	A club manager is responsible for overseeing club operations, delegating tasks to the club staff, and ensuring that the team provides the highest customer service and satisfaction for the guests. Club managers inspect the stability of technical tools and equipment, including the adequacy of inventory and food and beverage stocks... Show more	$12-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Localization Projects
   • QA
   • SDL
   • Content Management
   • Project Scope
   • UI
   • Localization Process
   • Style Guides
   • CMS
   • Worldserver
   • XML
   • Localization Vendors
   • External Vendors

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage translation vendor account with SDL.
   • Manage freelance writers in developing content and ensure all content follow SEO best practices.
   • Manage a production team of translators, engineers, testers, reviewers and DTP expert.
   • Develop and manage recommendations for in-house translation & localization QA process.
   • Manage and create requisitions and purchase orders through university PeopleSoft database.
   • Perform problem resolution, cost recovery, manage inventory of network components, direct RFP process for procurement of telecommunications services.

   More localization project manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the localization project manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A localization project manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a localization project manager in Indiana may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level localization project manager. Additionally, a localization project manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average localization project manager salary

   $70,091yearly

   $33.70 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level localization project manager salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average localization project manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$97,466	$47
   2	Washington	$80,360	$39
   3	Arizona	$77,448	$37
   4	New Jersey	$75,674	$36
   5	Texas	$74,742	$36
   6	Oregon	$73,328	$35
   7	Pennsylvania	$69,476	$33
   8	New York	$67,529	$32
   9	Massachusetts	$66,162	$32
   10	Utah	$63,669	$31
   11	Colorado	$61,241	$29
   12	Iowa	$59,885	$29
   13	Georgia	$57,016	$27
   14	Florida	$56,551	$27
   15	Minnesota	$54,609	$26

   Average localization project manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$133,957	$64.40	213
   2	Apple	$132,998	$63.94	23
   3	Cisco	$109,307	$52.55	6
   4	Moody's	$106,286	$51.10	1
   5	Strava	$105,883	$50.91	1
   6	Amazon	$105,504	$50.72	409
   7	Glassdoor	$103,402	$49.71
   8	Netflix	$100,932	$48.52	6
   9	VMware	$98,111	$47.17
   10	Twitter	$97,961	$47.10
   11	The New York Times Company	$97,622	$46.93
   12	Starz	$95,458	$45.89
   13	COMSYS Information Technology Services Inc	$92,904	$44.67
   14	Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc.	$84,061	$40.41	1
   15	Activision Blizzard	$81,521	$39.19
   16	ArenaNet	$79,794	$38.36
   17	Aquent	$78,901	$37.93
   18	The Weitz Company	$77,129	$37.08	6
   19	Matrix Service Company	$76,593	$36.82	3
   20	Pokémon	$67,137	$32.28	2

4. Writing a localization project manager job description

   A localization project manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a localization project manager job description:

   Localization project manager job description example

   The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It's why we have a newsroom that's 1,700 strong and sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It's why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it's why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it's worth paying for.
   
   Note for US based roles: Any offer of employment is contingent on providing proof of Covid-19 vaccination prior to your start date, subject to approved medical and/or religious exemptions, in accordance with applicable law.
   Job Description
   
   The New York Times seeks an organized, results-oriented project manager to support the creation of an investigative journalism initiative. The New York Times is creating a fellowship program to produce investigative projects focused on the state and local level, where deeply reported accountability journalism is most needed. This program will be led by the former executive editor of The New York Times, Dean Baquet. It will offer a rare opportunity for journalists with three to five years of reporting experience, especially those with backgrounds that are underrepresented in newsrooms and investigative reporting, to spend a year learning investigative reporting skills from the very best in the business - Dean and a group of veteran investigative editors.
   
   The project manager will support the new team in the creation of the fellowship application process, recruiting of candidates and on-boarding of candidates.
   
   The ideal candidate will thrive on creating a startup within an established organization. This person should be able to manage multiple projects, deliver on time and implement processes needed for a start-up function. The role requires project management, relationship building, and problem solving skills.
   
   Responsibilities:
   Support the team in creating a new fellowship program. Support creation of fellowship website. Ensure the team moves forward in timely manner to hit milestones and deadlines. Helping implement new processes, including the recruiting, selection process and on/off-boarding program for the fellows. Other projects that arise as the program develops, such as supporting partnerships.
   
   Requirements:
   Excellent organizational, project management and problem solving skills. Experience working with senior leaders. Strong communication skills. Knowledge and proficiency with project management tools, whether it's Kanban or Airtable. Bachelor's degree. 3+ years of experience. Must love journalism.
   
   Some travel may be required.
   
   #AM-1
   
   The New York Times is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that reflects the varied global community we serve. Our journalism and the products we build in the service of that journalism greatly benefit from a range of perspectives, which can only come from diversity of all types, across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. Achieving true diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing for our business. So we strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color and gender nonconforming candidates to apply.
   
   The New York Times Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The New York Times Company will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local "Fair Chance" laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right localization project manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with localization project managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit localization project managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your localization project manager job on Zippia to find and recruit localization project manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting localization project managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new localization project manager

   Once you've selected the best localization project manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new localization project manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a localization project manager?