Project Manager (Light Novels)

Job Description

J-Novel Club is looking to add a detail-oriented Project Manager to its team in a full-time, remote position, with benefits and salary for its light novel division. This hire will be responsible for day-to-day management of light novel localization and publication projects, from the initial launch, chapter-based streaming, and e-book publication, including communicating with and managing the localization teams and interfacing with the quality assurance team.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day production of light novel titles, set delivery schedules for freelancer localization teams, communicate schedules to the localization teams.
• Process delivered localizations from teams, manage the publishing of content to our subscription service.
• Coordinate with the Managing Translator, Managing Editor, and Quality Assurance Manager on scheduling issues, performance issues, quality issues, and coordinate to resolve said issues.
• Manage the scheduling of additional graphic design and localization work necessary for publication of final digital and print books, including scheduling designs.
• Maintain accurate metadata in internal databases and on 3rd party retailer sites.
• Manage ebook listings on 3rd party retailers, including updates to books post publication.

Requirements:

• Experience with project management, or coordinating teams of people.
• Copyediting and proofreading skills, including a strong knowledge of grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation, and a familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style are a plus.
• Strong communication skills both in-person (or by video) and over internet chat and email.
• Attention to detail and an eye to maintaining product quality.
• Ability to meet deadlines, juggle multiple projects at once, and manage a large number of simultaneous schedules for large groups of freelance workers.
• Experience with project management tracking software such as ClickUp.
• Strong general computer skills.
• Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets skills are a plus.
• Experience with the Adobe software suite is a plus.
• Knowledge of or interest in manga, light novels.
• Proficiency in Japanese language translation, preferably at a JLPT N2 or higher level, is a major plus.
• Prior experience in localizing Japanese manga, light novels, or video games (e.g. visual novels) is a plus.

Additional job details can be found here.