Sr Linguist Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Linguist Lead / Linguist Program Manager (Key Personnel)

Position Title: Senior Linguist Lead / Linguist Program Manager
Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE) – U.S. Air Force Installation
Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Clearance Required
Citizenship Requirement: U.S. Citizen Required
Employment Status: Contingent Upon Contract Award

Position Description

The Senior Linguist Lead will provide operational leadership, supervision, and management oversight for linguist personnel supporting U.S. Air Force mission requirements at an overseas installation in the United Arab Emirates. The Senior Linguist Lead will serve as the primary on-site company representative responsible for ensuring effective execution of contracted language support services, maintaining quality standards, and supporting mission requirements.

The Senior Linguist Lead will supervise a team of approximately 9–10 linguists, providing daily direction, workload coordination, performance oversight, and operational support. This position will serve as the key liaison between linguist personnel, company program management, and U.S. Government representatives to ensure contract objectives and customer requirements are met.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to assigned linguist personnel supporting U.S. Air Force operations.
• Manage daily linguist operations, including staffing coverage, scheduling, workload distribution, and mission priorities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for linguist-related operational matters at the assigned location.
• Ensure all linguist personnel perform duties in accordance with contract requirements, quality standards, and customer expectations.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality and accuracy of interpretation, translation, transcription, and other language support services.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and performance feedback to linguist personnel.
• Coordinate with program management regarding personnel status, operational challenges, and mission requirements.
• Support personnel onboarding, training, and integration of new linguists.
• Maintain operational reports, performance metrics, and required contract documentation.
• Identify and communicate risks, issues, and resource requirements to program leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all security, operational, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain appropriate handling and safeguarding of classified and sensitive information.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen.
• Active Secret security clearance required.
• Minimum of 2 years of linguist experience supporting U.S. Government, Department of Defense, military, intelligence, or national security missions.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience supervising or leading linguist personnel .
• Demonstrated experience managing linguist teams in an overseas or operational environment.
• Experience supporting U.S. military or government customers.
• Strong understanding of military terminology, operational procedures, and mission support requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting U.S. Air Force, CENTCOM, or overseas military operations.
• Experience serving as a linguist team lead, site lead, or program manager on government contracts.
• Experience supporting OCONUS operations and contractor-managed teams.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense security requirements and contractor reporting processes.

Clearance and Security Requirements

The Senior Linguist Lead must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Secret security clearance and must maintain eligibility for access to classified information in accordance with applicable Department of Defense security requirements. The individual must comply with all installation access requirements and security procedures associated with supporting U.S. Air Force operations overseas