Localization Project Manager

Apple•Cupertino, CA

About The Position

The people here at Apple don't just build products — they create the kind of wonder that has revolutionized entire industries. The diversity of those people and their ideas encourages the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. The Services UI Localization team delivers high-quality features to customers worldwide across Apple Media Products (App Store, Music, Video, Books, Podcasts, Fitness+, News), iCloud, Maps, Enterprise and Education, and Identity Management Services. Our fast-paced schedule and extensive scope provide self-motivated individuals with opportunities to work on highly visible projects delivering outstanding user experiences across all platforms and markets. DESCRIPTION As a Wallet, Payment, Commerce UI Localization LPM, you will orchestrate localization projects across iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Web in 50+ languages. You'll balance traditional execution with a "Search and Direct" approach—designing scalable, autonomous workflows while driving strategic direction, problem recognition, and cross-functional alignment. Success requires exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, and comfort with constant change and innovation. Responsibilities Include: Strategic Orchestration: - Design and direct scalable workflows operating 24/7 across global teams, integrating CAT tools, MT/ML engines, and QA automation. - Identify opportunities for automation and process innovation; define success metrics aligned with product/business goals. - Independently recognize & evaluates complex problems before they're articulated; translate business needs into actionable localization strategies. - Oversee global operations through dashboards and strategic intervention rather than micromanagement. Cross-Functional Leadership: - Present strategic vision to leadership with clarity and confidence. - Adapts quickly to changing environment by understanding interpersonal and group dynamics; influence across Engineering, Design, Product, Marketing, Legal, and QA. - Lead project kick-offs and cross-functional meetings across time zones. - Serve as primary escalation point; proactively track issues and manage risk. Localization Excellence: - Create detailed localization requirement documents for engineering teams. - Develop in-context quality strategies with Localization QA. - Maintain branding guidelines, glossaries, and reference materials. - Ensure adherence to security and confidentiality requirements. - Apply Localization best practices and critical assessments to identify internationalization opportunities. - Drives scalable solutions improving product reliability, or international user experience. Ownership & Impact: - Take ownership of complex, ambiguous problems with minimal guidance. - Communicate with impact, build trust and drive consensus across diverse teams. - Thrive in ambiguity and change; embrace innovation and champion adoption of new tools and processes. - Exercise independent judgment to determines methods and procedures for new work products and projects involving cross-functional disciplines.

Requirements

5+ years of project management experience with a track record of managing ambiguity and driving innovation.
Exceptional presentation, verbal, and written communication skills with ability to influence cross-functional partners and present strategic vision to leadership.
Technical understanding of software development cycles and internationalization standards.
Hands-on experience with localization tools, and bug tracking systems.
Demonstrated comfort with rapid change, iteration, and process experimentation.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

Strong ability to adapt communication style with different stakeholder audiences.
PMP certification or equivalent; strong project management rigor.
Software project management experience working in a fast-pace, short sprint cycles.
Extensive Localization experience.
Proven Experience in Agile methodology.
Ability to reinterpret business challenges as scalable, technology-driven solutions.
Familiarity with prompt engineering, automated validation, and autonomous workflow design.
Process redesign expertise.
Native-level proficiency in another language.
Familiarity with programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Swift, Xcode) and AI workflow orchestration.

Responsibilities

Design and direct scalable workflows operating 24/7 across global teams, integrating CAT tools, MT/ML engines, and QA automation.
Identify opportunities for automation and process innovation; define success metrics aligned with product/business goals.
Independently recognize & evaluates complex problems before they're articulated; translate business needs into actionable localization strategies.
Oversee global operations through dashboards and strategic intervention rather than micromanagement.
Present strategic vision to leadership with clarity and confidence.
Adapts quickly to changing environment by understanding interpersonal and group dynamics; influence across Engineering, Design, Product, Marketing, Legal, and QA.
Lead project kick-offs and cross-functional meetings across time zones.
Serve as primary escalation point; proactively track issues and manage risk.
Create detailed localization requirement documents for engineering teams.
Develop in-context quality strategies with Localization QA.
Maintain branding guidelines, glossaries, and reference materials.
Ensure adherence to security and confidentiality requirements.
Apply Localization best practices and critical assessments to identify internationalization opportunities.
Drives scalable solutions improving product reliability, or international user experience.
Take ownership of complex, ambiguous problems with minimal guidance.
Communicate with impact, build trust and drive consensus across diverse teams.
Thrive in ambiguity and change; embrace innovation and champion adoption of new tools and processes.
Exercise independent judgment to determines methods and procedures for new work products and projects involving cross-functional disciplines.