Localization Specialist - Bilingual Japanese & English (12-Months Fixed Term Contract)

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com.

Get to know the role

• Job Title: Localization Specialist - Bilingual Japanese & English (12-Months Fixed Term Contract)
• Job Summary: This role will translate, proof, and edit company’s software products, web content, graphics, user interface elements, and other marketing, technical or product documentation from one language to another. 
• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
• People Manager: No

What you’ll do

• Translate and proofread text for our video game products, card game releases, or other materials such as packaging, press releases, strategy guide articles, and other marketing materials. This current opening is expected to focus primarily on video game projects.

• Understand the localization direction and philosophy of the Pokémon brand and follow them receiving feedback from peers, supervisors, and in some cases, other teams. 

• Demonstrate a willingness to adopt and master new process/tools, consulting with senior members to learn the ropes. 

• Work with fellow localization team members to meet high linguistic quality and cultural requirements while maintaining consistency and creating a cohesive product that is faithful to the developers’ vision. 

• Tackle projects as a member of a closely aligned team, becoming an expert on our products through extensive testplay and research to tackle translation with accuracy and full understanding of context, while also maintaining a comprehensive picture of the project’s timeline and needs. 

• Provide input and cultural perspectives in development meetings with other localization professionals. 

• Ensure consistency regarding the use of terminology and meet the requirements for different text types, including limitations on length and other technological limitations. 

  Interact daily with other translators, editors, and localization project managers. 

• Report progress regularly to in-house management. 

• You may be involved in the creation of strategy guide articles, compilation of game data, proofing of related materials created by other departments, and more, based on product expertise.

What you’ll bring

• 3-4 years of experience translating from Japanese to English. 

• Japanese and English speaking and writing abilities at a near-native level is required. 

• The ability to work flexibly in an environment that features tight deadlines and shifting schedules. 

• Comfort with troubleshooting new software and the ability to learn specialized technical programs quickly. 

• A proven ability to multi-task various projects at the same time, juggling different needs while maintaining quality, consistency, and an attention to detail. 

• Experience with gaming (playing or translating) is required; experience with the Pokémon game is a plus. 

• Experienced with trading card games (playing or translating) is a plus. 

• Knowledge of MemoQ is a plus, but any CAT tool experience is beneficial. 

Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $74,000-$87,000 per year. The full range is $74,000-$111,000 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

#LI-Mk1 #LI-Hybrid

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.  
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve. 
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.  
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An employee first culture.
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
• Generous paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
• UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Commuter benefit.
• LinkedIn learning.
• Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
• Hybrid work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at Accomodationrequest_TA@pokemon.com