Language Services Specialist / Japanese...

Support Otsuka's global initiatives through high-quality Japanese-English interpretation and translation, serving staff at all levels, partner companies, consultants, and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Deliver simultaneous, consecutive, whispering, and sight translation for diverse business contexts, including senior leadership meetings, conferences, and cross-functional projects.
• Prepare for assignments by reviewing materials, conducting background and terminology research, and seeking subject-matter clarifications to ensure accurate communication.
• Provide high-quality Japanese-English translation for global initiatives, leveraging technology when appropriate to maintain consistency, clarity, and accuracy.
• Support cultural initiatives by delivering Japanese culture training to Otsuka US and affiliates, and offering guidance on Japanese language and culture for organizational activities.
• Manage incoming language service requests, track service metrics, maintain records, and prepare monthly reports.
• Coordinate with external language service vendors for outsourced assignments, including scheduling linguists and monitoring progress.
• Administer user accounts for department-subscribed systems and tools, create user guides, conduct training, monitor usage, and address issues.
• Assist with departmental projects, including evaluating and adopting new language technologies, implementing process improvements, and supporting operational enhancements.

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor's degree.
• 2+ years of experience in the interpretation/translation industry.
• Native-level fluency in Japanese and English, with a comprehensive understanding of Japanese and American business norms, communication styles, and practices.
• Demonstrated mastery of multiple interpretation modes (simultaneous, consecutive, whispering, sight translation) and 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 the ability to tailor communication to diverse stakeholders.
• Proactive initiative to deliver superior customer service and outcomes.
• Ability to build relationships and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Problem-solving skills with creative or innovative solutions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while adhering to departmental procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, shift priorities, and maintain attention to detail for high-quality outputs.
• Up to 25% domestic travel may be required based on business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Skills

• Accountability for Results: Focus on key strategic objectives, maintain high performance standards, and lead change.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Make decisions considering long-term impact on customers, patients, employees, and the business.
• Patient & Customer Centricity: Maintain focus on the needs of customers and key stakeholders.
• Impactful Communication: Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect to influence at all levels.
• Respectful Collaboration: Seek and value diverse perspectives to enhance partnerships and common goals.
• Empowered Development: Actively engage in professional development as a business imperative.

Pay

Minimum $89,622.00 - Maximum $128,800.00, plus incentive opportunity. The range represents a typical pay range for individuals hired in the United States. Actual pay may vary based on job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Company-provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs.
• Additional company-provided benefits.