Language Services Specialist / Japanese Interpreter

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. • Princeton, NJ

2d • $89,622 - $128,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

Deliver high-quality Japanese-English interpretation for Otsuka’s global initiatives, supporting staff at all levels, including senior leadership, as well as partner companies, consultants, and vendors. Independently prepare for assignments by reviewing materials, conducting background and terminology research, and seeking subject-matter clarifications to ensure clear and accurate communication across diverse business contexts. Provide high-quality Japanese-English translation for a variety of global initiatives, effectively leveraging technology when appropriate, and ensuring consistency, clarity, and accuracy in all deliverables. Support cultural initiatives by providing Japanese culture training to Otsuka US and affiliates, and offering guidance on Japanese language and culture for organizational activities as needed. Contribute to team operations by managing incoming language service requests, tracking service metrics, maintaining accurate records, and preparing monthly metrics reports. Coordinate with external language service vendors for outsourced assignments, and assist the scheduling of linguists and monitor progress to ensure successful completion of each assignment. Manage user accounts for department-subscribed systems and tools as an administrator by establishing user guides, planning and conducting user training, monitoring usage, and addressing issues when needed. Assist with various departmental projects and initiatives, including the search, evaluation, and adoption of new language technologies, implementation of process improvements, and support of broader operational enhancements under the guidance of senior staff.

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor’s degree
• 2+ years of experience in the interpretation/translation industry
• Native-level fluency in Japanese and English with comprehensive understanding of Japanese and American norms, communication styles, and business practices
• Demonstrated mastery of multiple interpretation modes including simultaneous, consecutive, whispering, and sight translation; experience using AI-powered translation tools and post-editing machine translation output
• Ability to manage virtual, hybrid, and in-person interpretation, including experience with interpretation equipment and major conferencing platforms such as MS Teams
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to tailor communication style, strategy, and content to the diverse needs of stakeholders and partners at all levels
• Have initiative and proactively strive for superior customer services and outcomes
• Ability to build relationships and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to maintain complete discretion with confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to identify and solve problems effectively with creative or innovative solutions
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while adhering to well-defined and well-established departmental procedures and processes
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and appropriately shift priorities while keeping attention to detail to achieve high-quality outputs

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in interpretation
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical industry
• Experience with a global work environment
• Familiarity with interpretation technologies and platforms, or translation productivity tools

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality Japanese-English interpretation for Otsuka’s global initiatives, supporting staff at all levels, including senior leadership, as well as partner companies, consultants, and vendors.
• Independently prepare for assignments by reviewing materials, conducting background and terminology research, and seeking subject-matter clarifications to ensure clear and accurate communication across diverse business contexts.
• Provide high-quality Japanese-English translation for a variety of global initiatives, effectively leveraging technology when appropriate, and ensuring consistency, clarity, and accuracy in all deliverables.
• Support cultural initiatives by providing Japanese culture training to Otsuka US and affiliates, and offering guidance on Japanese language and culture for organizational activities as needed.
• Manage incoming language service requests, tracking service metrics, maintaining accurate records, and preparing monthly metrics reports.
• Coordinate with external language service vendors for outsourced assignments, and assist the scheduling of linguists and monitor progress to ensure successful completion of each assignment.
• Manage user accounts for department-subscribed systems and tools as an administrator by establishing user guides, planning and conducting user training, monitoring usage, and addressing issues when needed.
• Assist with various departmental projects and initiatives, including the search, evaluation, and adoption of new language technologies, implementation of process improvements, and support of broader operational enhancements under the guidance of senior staff.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage
• Company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan assistance
• A generous 401(k) match
• Flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid leave programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level