DTP & L.E Manager

Role Purpose / Summary :

The DTP / Localization Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Desktop Publishing (DTP) and Localization Engineering teams to ensure high-quality preparation, processing, and delivery of multilingual content across all formats and platforms. This role oversees workflow planning, technical problem-solving, quality control, and team performance while collaborating closely with Project Management, QA, Linguists, and Technology teams to ensure operational excellence and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities :

- Lead, mentor, and develop the DTP and Localization Engineering teams.
- Allocate workloads and ensure balanced resource planning across projects.
- Monitor team KPIs, performance, and quality output.
- Support training, upskilling, and onboarding of new team members.
- Oversee DTP production across multilingual files including print, digital, UI, and marketing assets.
- Manage localization engineering activities such as file preparation, formatting, segmentation, testing, and reintegration.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet quality standards.
- Define and optimize workflows, SOPs, and best practices.
- Support complex file handling, including scripting, automation, segmentation logic, and troubleshooting.
- Ensure correct handling of multilingual text including RTL languages, character encoding, fonts, and layout preservation.
- Oversee pre-flight checks and final QA of files before delivery.
- Work with CAT tools and localization platforms to ensure seamless processing.
- Implement and maintain quality control standards across DTP and LE output.
- Identify recurring technical issues and implement preventive solutions.
- Collaborate with QA to analyze errors and root causes.
- Promote innovation, automation, and efficiency.
- Work closely with Project Managers to plan capacity, timelines, and risk-mitigation.
- Act as a technical advisor to internal teams and key accounts when needed.
- Support presales, scoping, feasibility checks, and effort estimation.

Qualifications & Experience :

- Bachelors degree in Computer Science, IT, Design, Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years experience in DTP and/or Localization Engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of localization workflows and multilingual publishing.
- Proven experience managing production teams or technical teams.

Core Competencies & Skills :

- Strong working knowledge of DTP tools such as:
- Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat
- FrameMaker, QuarkXPress (preferred)
- Strong familiarity with localization tools such as:
- Trados Studio / GroupShare / memoQ / Smartcat / Memsource ... etc 
Experience handling the following : 
- HTML / XML / JSON / YAML.
- Website & Software localization.
- File encoding / Unicode / RTL handling.
- Experience with automation or scripting is a strong plus (Python, Regex, VBA, etc.).
- Excellent people leadership and coaching skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
- High attention to detail and quality.
- Ability to manage pressure and deadlines.
- Strong communication & cross-functional collaboration.
- Customer-focused approach.

Preferred Qualifications :

- Experience in a Language Service Provider (LSP) environment.
- Experience managing offshore or distributed teams.
- Knowledge of pre-press or printing standards.
- Certification in project or quality management (optional but valuable).