Team Manager (Linguistics) in Leeds

We have a fantastic opportunity for a leader within the Linguistics sub‑department of our Translation team. The Team Manager role supports and develops translators, editors, quality assessors and linguistic administrators and is crucial to the ongoing performance and development of a high‑performing team. The role will leverage people management skills to motivate, coach, and mentor linguistics team members, fostering a culture of excellence, integrity and continuous improvement. You will collaborate closely with other team managers and department managers to achieve this. We embrace a hybrid working model in our Leeds office, balancing flexibility with collaboration. To maintain a strong team rapport, you will be in the office a minimum of three times a week, engaging with your team members in person and demonstrating the benefits of a strong office culture.

Role Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours/week)

• Team Performance, Motivation and Success
  • Assess quality and output levels to evaluate current performance.
  • Drive team and individual performance to meet business goals, ensuring each member hits targets, develops as expected, and is supported through upskilling and performance management.
• Individual/ Team Training and Development
  • Manage the learning, development, and progression of your direct reports by guiding them through onboarding, probation, and ongoing development to ensure they meet key milestones and achieve their career goals.
  • Lead and report on essential individual and team meetings such as 121s, performance reviews, planning meetings and team discussions.
• Resource Planning and Workload Distribution
  • Effectively plan team resources to ensure all client work is delivered at service level standards, including proactively managing holidays and sickness absence.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, including absence management and working abroad, with timely escalation for all concerns when necessary.
• Other
  • Support in consistent communication for both agency and department‑wide people and operational initiatives.
  • Act as a role model for core values: Accountability, Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity.

Requirements

• Background in languages, translation and/or linguistic quality assessment.
• Outstanding time‑management skills, with a proven ability to structure team workloads in a way that ensures results.
• Proven experience leading team projects from start to finish.
• Proven problem‑solving techniques and demonstrates a proactive approach to empowering team members to drive change.
• Previous experience of, and a natural ability to, lead high‑performing teams.
• Demonstrable practical knowledge of relevant standards and workflows with the ability to effectively assess quality and categorise errors.
• Ability to take a solution‑focused approach to problem‑solving.
• Experience working with relevant tools and workflows.
• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability, proactively identifying knowledge gaps, seeking support when needed.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise with personnel at all levels and verbally communicate updates in individual and group settings.
• The ability to own and deliver messages objectively, even if, on occasions, they are in conflict with your own personal views and opinions.
• High emotional intelligence, handling situations sensitively and confidentially.
• Uses a collaborative approach; able to influence, drive ideas and effectively address issues guiding others toward the accomplishment of identified goals.
• Impeccable attention to detail, including good presentation skills and the ability to write and review process documents.
• Results‑driven and data‑oriented, thriving under pressure and deadlines.
• A driven, proactive mindset with strong commercial awareness and knowledge of all departments across the agency and how they work together.

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave.
• Birthday off work.
• Work abroad policy (up to 30 days per year).
• Competitive pension scheme (matched up to 7 %).
• Industry‑leading family policies.
• Hybrid, flexible working.
• Life assurance and private Bupa healthcare.
• Regular team socials.
• Free weekly breakfasts.

We appreciate that employing people with a broad range of life experiences and ways of thinking adds value to our organisation. If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments that will help you to perform at your best and be happy in the workplace, please let us know.