About Translation Commons
Translation Commons is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to providing scalable and reliable digital solutions for language preservation and inclusion. Since 2015, we’ve supported global efforts to digitize endangered languages and connect underrepresented communities to the digital world. We are currently seeking a motivated and visionary volunteer to serve as Engineering Team Manager (Technology Team Manager). This is a remote leadership opportunity ideal for someone passionate about technology, collaboration, and social impact.
Position Description
The Engineering Team Manager will co-lead the Technology Team, working alongside another manager to oversee volunteers and projects that support Translation Commons’ digital infrastructure and toolsets. This includes managing systems such as:
- Our multilingual websites and WordPress platforms
- TMS and CAT tools for translation workflows
- Productivity and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace)
- IT support and technical research
Key Responsibilities
- Co-manage the Technology Team and ensure alignment with Translation Commons’ mission and goals.
- Collaborate with the Team Advisor to develop workflows, documentation, and communication processes.
- Define the team’s roadmap, priorities, and timelines.
- Create and define roles needed within the Technology Team.
- Recruit, interview, and onboard new volunteers.
- Motivate, guide, and support team members to maintain engagement and accountability.
- Assign and delegate tasks across the team based on skills and availability.
- Serve as the main point of contact for all technology-related inquiries within the organization.
- Monitor progress and ensure timely delivery of technical solutions and infrastructure.
- Manage access and permissions within the group’s Google Workspace (G-Suite) environment.
- Take ownership of group deliverables, ensuring high-quality outcomes.
- Facilitate regular team meetings and status updates.
Strategic Oversight & Leadership
Team Building & Volunteer Coordination
Project Management & Execution
Operations & Admin
Desired Skills and Experience
- Strong leadership and people management skills, especially in remote or volunteer settings.
- A visionary mindset with the ability to translate organizational goals into technical action.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to take initiative, solve problems creatively, and work independently.
- Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and leading meetings.
- Familiarity with technology tools used in nonprofit or distributed teams is a plus (e.g., WordPress, CAT tools, TMS platforms, G-Suite).
- Passion for linguistic diversity, digital inclusion, and global impact.
- Minimum commitment of 5 hours per week, including participation in meetings, planning sessions, and follow-ups.
- Hands-on leadership experience in managing a global volunteer tech team.
- Insight into the operations of a nonprofit tech ecosystem.
- Opportunities to expand your network in localization, web development, and social impact communities.
- A meaningful role supporting global access to digital language tools and platforms.
What You’ll Gain:
