English to French Linguist & Copy Editor for Product, Marketing & UI Content

Jobgether
Full-timeβ€’South Africa
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πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: English to French Linguist & Copy Editor for Product, Marketing & UI Content

Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)

Location: South Africa

Job Type: Contract

Category: Localization & Content Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role is a long-term freelance contract focused on delivering high-quality English-to-French localization for an international audience, emphasizing linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance.

  • You will be responsible for translating, copy-editing, and performing machine translation post-editing across a diverse range of content types including marketing campaigns, product experiences, user interfaces, support materials, and legal text.

  • The position requires managing a consistent workload of over 5,000 words per week, utilizing a client-specific CAT tool with provided training, and adhering to established localization workflows.

  • This opportunity is ideal for experienced linguists who value quality, reliability, responsiveness, and seek a stable, long-term freelance collaboration in the GTM and product localization space.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The role is described as a "freelance opportunity" and "independent contractor," indicating a focus on independent work. The mention of "high-visibility international projects" and "ongoing localization program" suggests a strategic importance for the company's global reach and product adoption.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Translate English source content into fluent, accurate, and culturally appropriate French for various content types, including marketing collateral, user interface elements, product descriptions, customer support documentation, and legal agreements.

  • Conduct thorough copy-editing and linguistic review of French content to ensure impeccable grammar, syntax, style, tone, and adherence to brand guidelines and localization standards.

  • Execute machine translation post-editing (MTPE) with a focus on maintaining high-quality output, ensuring natural flow, and correcting any semantic or stylistic inaccuracies introduced by machine translation.

  • Consistently manage and deliver an average workload of 5,000+ words per week, meticulously adhering to all agreed-upon project deadlines and turnaround times.

  • Effectively utilize provided Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and client-specific localization workflows to streamline the translation, editing, and review processes, ensuring efficiency and data integrity.

  • Proactively identify and address linguistic, grammatical, stylistic, formatting, and contextual discrepancies within the content, ensuring a cohesive and polished final product.

  • Maintain clear, proactive, and professional communication with project managers and stakeholders regarding assignment progress, clarifying questions, reporting potential issues, and managing feedback or revision requests.

  • Integrate and apply feedback and revisions received from reviewers or project managers efficiently to ensure linguistic consistency and brand voice across all ongoing and future project deliverables.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "marketing, UI, product, support, informational, and legal text" indicates a broad scope of localization, requiring adaptability across different content domains and target audiences. The requirement to "manage an expected workload of 5,000+ words per week" highlights the need for efficient workflow management and strong time management skills, crucial for operations-focused roles dealing with high-volume content.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Translation, Linguistics, or a closely related field is required for candidates with 2+ years of professional experience.

  • Alternatively, 5+ years of extensive professional translation experience can substitute for a formal degree. Experience:

  • A minimum of 2 years of professional translation experience is required, with a preference for candidates with 5+ years.

  • Demonstrated experience in translating English to French across diverse content types, with a specific emphasis on marketing, UI, product, informational, and support content.

  • Proven professional experience utilizing CAT tools and a solid understanding of modern localization workflows. Required Skills:

  • Native or near-native fluency in French, coupled with an excellent command of English, is essential for accurate and nuanced translation.

  • Exceptional copy-editing and proofreading skills with meticulous attention to linguistic details, grammar, syntax, and stylistic consistency.

  • Proficiency in using Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and familiarity with modern localization workflows and project management systems.

  • Strong ability to produce high-quality, accurate, and culturally relevant localized content efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

  • Excellent communication, responsiveness, and reliability, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to incorporate feedback.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently as a freelance or independent contractor, managing time and tasks effectively without direct supervision. Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with machine translation post-editing (MTPE) techniques and quality assessment.

  • Familiarity with terminology management systems and style guide development.

  • Understanding of internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n) best practices.

  • Experience with content management systems (CMS) or digital asset management (DAM) platforms relevant to content localization.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The experience requirement differentiates between candidates with and without a formal degree, showcasing flexibility. The emphasis on "marketing, UI, product, informational, and support content" suggests the need for domain expertise or the ability to quickly adapt to different subject matters, which is a common requirement in GTM and product operations roles.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 2 years of professional English-to-French translation and copy-editing work, demonstrating proficiency across marketing, UI, product, and support content.

  • Include at least one detailed case study highlighting the application of CAT tools and adherence to a structured localization workflow, illustrating efficiency gains or quality improvements.

  • Provide examples that demonstrate exceptional attention to linguistic and contextual detail, reflecting the ability to maintain consistency and cultural relevance.

  • Showcase examples of machine translation post-editing (MTPE) if available, detailing the process and the quality achieved. Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate understanding of a structured localization process, from source content analysis to final linguistic review and quality assurance.

  • Illustrate experience with managing translation memory (TM) and termbases within CAT tools to ensure consistency and efficiency.

  • Present examples of how feedback and revisions are incorporated into ongoing projects to maintain linguistic integrity and brand voice.

  • Highlight the ability to adhere to specific client workflows and CAT tool functionalities as demonstrated during onboarding and training.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a portfolio is crucial for freelance roles, especially in linguist positions. The emphasis on CAT tools and workflows implies a need for candidates to demonstrate their practical application of these systems in their portfolio. The mention of "client-specific CAT tool training provided during onboarding" suggests that while familiarity is required, mastery of a specific tool will be developed on the job.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • As this is a contract role with an expected workload of 5,000+ words per week, compensation will likely be structured on a per-word or per-project basis. Based on industry standards for experienced freelance English-to-French translators and copy editors in South Africa, a competitive rate would range from ZAR 1.50 to ZAR 3.00 per source word, depending on content complexity and specific CAT tool usage. This translates to an estimated weekly earning potential of ZAR 7,500 to ZAR 15,000. Benefits:

  • Fully remote freelance work, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

  • Long-term, ongoing project providing consistent work opportunities.

  • Opportunity to contribute to high-visibility international localization projects, enhancing your professional profile.

  • Ongoing support and comprehensive training, including client-specific CAT tool training during onboarding, to ensure success.

  • Exposure to a diverse range of content across marketing, product, UI, support, informational, and legal domains, broadening your linguistic and industry experience.

  • Potential to join a global network of linguists and establish a long-term, mutually beneficial professional partnership.

  • Flexible independent-contractor environment, allowing for autonomy in managing your work schedule and professional development. Working Hours:

  • This is a freelance contract role with an expected workload of 5,000+ words per week. The hours are flexible, allowing you to manage your schedule to meet deadlines and accommodate personal commitments, provided work is delivered on time and to a high standard. A typical full-time equivalent would be around 30-40 hours per week, depending on individual efficiency and project complexity.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on publicly available data for freelance translation rates in South Africa and the specified workload. The benefits listed are derived directly from the job description, highlighting the advantages of remote, contract work with ongoing support and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Staffing & Recruitment (Jobgether operates as a platform connecting talent with companies, often in the tech sector). The partner company's industry is not explicitly stated but is implied to be one requiring extensive multilingual content for product, marketing, and user engagement.

Company Size: Jobgether's company size is not directly provided, but platforms like it typically facilitate connections for companies of various sizes, from startups to enterprises. The partner company's size is also not specified, but the mention of an "ongoing localization program" and "high-visibility international projects" suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with a global presence.

Founded: Jobgether was founded in 2015. The founding date of the partner company is not provided, but their need for ongoing localization implies an established presence in the market.

Team Structure:

  • The role operates within a freelance, independent contractor model, meaning direct team integration is minimal. You will report to a Project Manager or Localization Coordinator from the partner company.

  • Collaboration will primarily be with other linguists, editors, and project management staff involved in the localization workflow.

  • Cross-functional collaboration will likely involve communication with marketing, product, and UI teams to ensure content accuracy and cultural appropriateness, mediated through the localization project manager. Methodology:

  • The localization process emphasizes data-driven quality assurance, using CAT tools to maintain consistency and track progress.

  • Workflow planning involves adhering to client-specific processes and utilizing provided training to optimize task management and delivery.

  • Automation is leveraged through CAT tools and potentially MTPE, with a focus on efficiency while maintaining high linguistic standards.

Company Website: https://jobgether.com/

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The description implies the partner company is actively engaged in global market expansion, requiring consistent and high-quality localized content. The emphasis on a "global network of linguists" and "long-term professional partnership" suggests a company that values dedicated, skilled freelancers.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level for freelance linguists. It requires at least 2-5 years of professional experience and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. The scope of work (5,000+ words/week) indicates a significant production capacity is expected.

Reporting Structure: As a freelance contractor, you will report to a designated Project Manager or Localization Coordinator from the partner company. While not a traditional hierarchical structure, clear communication lines and adherence to project management directives are essential.

Operations Impact: Your work directly impacts the company's global reach and user experience. High-quality localization ensures that product messaging, marketing campaigns, and user interfaces resonate effectively with the French-speaking market, driving user engagement, product adoption, and ultimately, revenue growth in new regions. Accuracy in legal and support content is critical for compliance and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Develop expertise in specific content domains (e.g., technical marketing, SaaS UI, legal compliance) through exposure to diverse projects.

  • Workflow Optimization: Gain advanced proficiency in CAT tools and localization workflows, potentially leading to roles in localization project management or quality assurance for experienced individuals.

  • Long-Term Partnership: Build a strong reputation for reliability and quality, leading to continued high-volume work and potentially more complex or strategic localization projects with the partner company.

  • Network Expansion: Become part of a "global network of linguists," fostering connections and potential collaborations within the localization industry.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The growth potential in this role is primarily through deepening expertise and building a strong freelance reputation, rather than climbing a traditional corporate ladder. The emphasis on "long-term freelance collaboration" suggests stability and the opportunity to become an integral part of the company's ongoing localization efforts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote freelance position. There is no requirement to attend a physical office.

Office Location(s): The role is based in South Africa, but the work is performed remotely. Specific office locations for the partner company are not disclosed, as the role is remote.

Workspace Context:

  • You will be working from your own home office setup, requiring a reliable internet connection, a functional computer, and a quiet environment conducive to focused linguistic work.

  • Access to the necessary CAT tools will be provided or supported, with training available during onboarding.

  • Collaboration will occur through digital channels (email, project management platforms, potentially video conferencing for training or specific discussions).

Work Schedule: The role offers significant flexibility. While there's an expectation of 5,000+ words per week, the specific hours are self-managed. This allows you to structure your workday around personal commitments, provided all deadlines are met. This flexibility is crucial for independent contractors to balance multiple projects or personal responsibilities.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "fully remote" nature is a key selling point, aligning with modern work trends. The flexibility in working hours is a significant advantage for independent contractors, allowing them to manage their workload effectively.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed by Jobgether's AI-powered matching process to assess core requirements.

  • Shortlisting: Top-fitting candidates will be shortlisted and their profiles shared directly with the hiring company.

  • Partner Company Review: The hiring company's internal team will manage the final decision-making and subsequent steps, which may include:

    • Skills Assessment/Test: A translation and/or copy-editing test to evaluate linguistic proficiency, attention to detail, and adherence to style guides.
    • CAT Tool Proficiency Check: Potentially a brief assessment or discussion about CAT tool experience.
    • Interview: A discussion with a Project Manager or Localization Coordinator to assess communication skills, responsiveness, reliability, understanding of localization workflows, and cultural fit.
    • Onboarding & Training: If selected, you will undergo onboarding and client-specific CAT tool training.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Relevant Samples: Select your strongest English-to-French translation and copy-editing samples that specifically cover marketing, UI, product, and support content. Ensure they showcase your ability to adapt tone and style.

  • Highlight CAT Tool Usage: If possible, provide context on how you utilized CAT tools in previous projects, emphasizing efficiency and consistency benefits.

  • Showcase Quality: Your samples should be error-free and demonstrate a deep understanding of French nuances and cultural appropriateness for international audiences.

  • Include MTPE Examples (if applicable): If you have experience with machine translation post-editing, include a sample that clearly illustrates your process and the quality achieved.

  • Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your contributions (e.g., "Managed localization of X product pages," "Delivered Y marketing campaigns on time").

Challenge Preparation:

  • Translation/Editing Test: Practice translating and editing various content types under timed conditions. Focus on accuracy, fluency, and adherence to specific instructions or style guides.

  • CAT Tool Familiarity: Refresh your knowledge of common CAT tool functionalities. Be prepared to discuss your experience and learn a new tool quickly.

  • Communication Skills: Prepare to articulate your process, your understanding of localization quality, and how you handle feedback and deadlines.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The AI-driven initial screening by Jobgether means candidates should ensure their application and resume are keyword-optimized for localization and relevant skills. The hiring company's internal process will likely involve practical assessments to verify linguistic capabilities.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • CAT Tools: Proficiency in using Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools is a core requirement. While the specific client-specific tool will be provided during onboarding, familiarity with industry-standard tools like SDL Trados Studio, memoQ, Wordfast, or Across is highly advantageous. These tools are essential for managing translation memory, termbases, and ensuring project consistency.

  • Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) Tools: Experience with platforms or workflows that facilitate the post-editing of machine-generated translations.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not a direct analytics role, understanding how localization impacts user engagement and content performance metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) can help in understanding the downstream impact of localized content.

  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira) are often used to track assignments, deadlines, and progress within localization workflows. CRM & Automation:

  • No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are specified for this role. However, understanding how content is managed within a company's broader systems (CMS, DAM) can be helpful context.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a "client-specific CAT tool" indicates that while general CAT tool experience is necessary, adaptability to new software is paramount. The role's success hinges on efficient utilization of these specialized localization technologies.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Quality & Accuracy: A paramount value, ensuring all translated and edited content is linguistically sound, contextually appropriate, and free of errors. This is fundamental for maintaining brand integrity and user trust.

  • Reliability & Responsiveness: Essential for a freelance role. Consistently meeting deadlines, being available for communication, and responding promptly to inquiries are critical for smooth project execution.

  • Efficiency & Productivity: The ability to manage a high volume of work (5,000+ words/week) while maintaining quality is key. This involves optimizing personal workflows and leveraging tools effectively.

  • Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Willingness to learn new tools, adapt to different content types, incorporate feedback, and stay updated on localization best practices.

  • Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor in all communications and interactions, even as an independent contractor.

Collaboration Style:

  • Independent Contribution: Primarily working autonomously on assigned tasks.

  • Digital Communication: Relying on digital platforms for communication with project managers and potentially other linguists.

  • Feedback Integration: A collaborative approach to receiving and implementing feedback to improve future work and maintain consistency.

  • Proactive Problem-Solving: Communicating potential issues or seeking clarification proactively to prevent delays or errors.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The values emphasized align with the needs of a company relying on external talent for critical GTM and product content. Reliability, quality, and efficiency are non-negotiable for successful localization operations.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Maintaining High Quality at Volume: Balancing the demands of a 5,000+ words per week workload with the need for meticulous linguistic accuracy and cultural nuance.

    • Mitigation: Develop efficient personal workflows, leverage CAT tools effectively, and prioritize tasks. Seek clarification on ambiguous content early.
  • Adapting to New Tools & Workflows: Quickly learning and mastering a client-specific CAT tool and localization process during onboarding.

    • Preparation: Be prepared for intensive training. Practice with common CAT tool features beforehand.
  • Diverse Content Types: Translating and editing across varied domains (marketing, legal, technical) requires broad knowledge or the ability to research and adapt quickly.

    • Preparation: Build a glossary of common terms across different industries. Utilize online resources for research.
  • Remote Work Isolation: The fully remote nature can sometimes lead to a lack of direct interaction, requiring proactive communication.

    • Preparation: Schedule regular check-ins if possible, and maintain open communication channels.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • CAT Tool Mastery: Deepen expertise in specific CAT tools, potentially becoming a power user or trainer for future projects.

  • Domain Specialization: Develop niche expertise in translating for specific industries (e.g., SaaS, legal tech, e-commerce) based on project exposure.

  • Localization Workflow Expertise: Gain comprehensive experience in end-to-end localization processes, including quality assurance and project management aspects.

  • Professional Network: Expand your network within the localization industry by collaborating with a global team and potentially being recommended for other projects.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for high-volume freelance roles. The growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and career development within the freelance localization domain.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for ensuring linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance when translating marketing content from English to French." (Focus on methodology, research, and target audience considerations.)

  • "How do you approach machine translation post-editing (MTPE) to achieve natural-sounding French while maintaining efficiency?" (Highlight your MTPE strategy, quality checks, and understanding of MT limitations.)

  • "Walk me through how you would manage a workload of 5,000 words per week, ensuring all deadlines are met without compromising quality." (Emphasize time management, prioritization, and workflow optimization.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What attracts you to a long-term freelance collaboration with a company like ours, and what are your expectations from such a partnership?" (Showcase your commitment, reliability, and understanding of the freelance model.)

  • "How do you typically incorporate feedback and revisions from project managers or reviewers into your ongoing work?" (Demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement.)

  • "What is your experience with CAT tools, and how do you ensure consistency across projects when using them?" (Be specific about tools you've used and your approach to TM and termbase management.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Highlight Relevance: Clearly state which samples are most relevant to marketing, UI, and product content.

  • Explain Your Process: For each sample, briefly explain the context, your role (translation, editing, MTPE), and any specific challenges you overcame.

  • Showcase CAT Tool Usage: If you have screenshots or can explain how CAT tools were integral to a project, include that.

  • Quantify Impact (if possible): Mention project scale or impact if you have data (e.g., "This translation contributed to a successful product launch in the French market").

  • Be Prepared for a Test: Have a high-quality English-to-French translation and editing test ready to be performed, demonstrating your core skills.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical skills, reliability, and a proactive approach, which are key for freelance success. The company's AI screening means highlighting these aspects in your application is crucial.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Jobgether.

  • Tailor your Resume/CV: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 2-5+ years of professional English-to-French translation and copy-editing experience, specifically mentioning experience with marketing, UI, product, and support content. Integrate keywords like "Localization," "CAT Tools," "MTPE," "Linguistic Accuracy," and "Content Management."

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest translation and editing samples that directly align with the job requirements. Be ready to discuss your process and the tools used. If you have MTPE examples, include them.

  • Research Jobgether and Localization: Understand Jobgether's platform and the general localization industry. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of localization quality standards and workflows during any subsequent interview stages.

  • Confirm Availability: Be ready to confirm your availability for a consistent workload of 5,000+ words per week and your ability to work as an independent contractor.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Requires native or near-native French proficiency and at least 2 years of professional translation experience with a relevant degree, or 5+ years without one. Candidates must be proficient in CAT tools and demonstrate strong attention to linguistic detail.