Project Communications Manager - Bilingual Japanese Interpreter

SEGA OF AMERICA INC•Irvine, CA

5d•$76,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Product Marketing Director, the Project Communications Manager directs the communication between Sega of America Product Marketing and adjacent teams and Japanese marketing and studio teams relating to marketing and project needs. This position actively contributes to and maintains the flow and schedule of correspondence and assets to regularly align with internal teams and project schedules.

Requirements

4+ years’ experience in a related position within gaming and/or consumer products
Fully bilingual in English and Japanese with excellent understanding of both cultures
Good knowledge of US and Japan gaming and/or entertainment markets and audiences, with an understanding of the nuances of each region
Ability to interpret body language, read the room, and translate into verbal translation
Experience in project management, analysis, and the ability to work with multiple teams
Ability to build relationships with in person, virtually, and internationally within a professional setting
Confident negotiation skills
Must provide evidence of ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Proficient in MS Office suite of products (Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Must be flexible with evening hours to accommodate Japanese business hours
Travel required (Japan, Europe, and domestically)
Positive and professional attitude

Responsibilities

Interpret on behalf of internal departments and key dev staff at conference meetings and calls, external press conferences, developer interviews, and panel discussions
Translate a variety of project materials including but not limited to product presentations, pricing matrixes, marketing plans, product reports, and emails
Lead communication and work closely with all partners on a variety of Marketing initiatives between US, EMEA, and Japan offices by gathering and analyzing project information, and presenting to reviewing parties to maximize success of gaining approvals and reaching alignment.
Act as the expert of US/Western and Japan cultural differences, to help bridge and communicate differences between the markets as they pertain to project needs
Work closely with global teams during project greenlight process to ensure goals and objectives are agreed to, and deliverables are on schedule
Ability to establish a strong relationship and rapport with key stakeholders across Japan studios, bridge teams, and marketing teams and serve as a guide to Western teams to foster deep understanding and mutual respect of one another.
Proactively communicate marketing plans and other relevant information from and to internal and external stakeholders to achieve an open pipeline of dialogue and collaboration between offices
Lead weekly video conference meetings with Japanese office and provide recap reports on key activities related to brand initiatives and promotions
Provide English to Japanese bilingual translations and interpretation and vice versa while working with several cross-functional teams (product marketing, PR, community, etc.) to ensure projects progress according to status, schedules, and deliverables
Stay on top of news and announcements relating to our brands and intellectual properties
Working in-office is an essential function of this position. This requirement of face-to-face interaction is in place to ensure effective supervision, collaboration, and teamwork. In-office attendance is required 3 days a week for the following reasons: For effective supervision of employees and our work product, which includes ensuring all employees have necessary oversight of their work and access to supervisory assistance, which includes meetings to review work product, deadlines, and status. To foster communication and collaboration among team members, which includes the following: allowing for spontaneous brainstorming sessions and exchanges of ideas, quick access to team members to enable collaborative problem-solving, and stronger cohesion among co-workers and within teams. To enhance the sharing of information necessary to effective job performance and product creation. To enhance understanding of our stakeholders’ work and business needs, facilitate a more seamless and organic workflow, and ultimately increase efficiency and successful outcomes.