Meet Vistatec's Life Sciences Program Manager - Jackie Janeri
Vistatec was founded on the passion of accelerating global commercial success in business and technology, connecting international audiences with compelling content and product experiences from various brands and companies. Although we prioritize fast-tracking brands to the market with reduced cost and overhead, we genuinely value the connection, communication, and bond built between global brands and their audiences in our work.
To continue building that bond, we have assembled a series of interviews geared towards shining a light on our expert employees and their fantastic work with Vistatec.
In this interview, we’ll be talking to Vistatec’s Life Sciences Program Director, Jackie Janeri.
Table of Contents
What got you interested in the localization and translation industry?
Jackie Janeri: I’ve always loved language and learning about other cultures. I studied German and Political Science at university and planned to work for an NGO after finishing my studies. After several years abroad, I got the opportunity to work for a small translation agency as a project manager. I discovered that all the elements I wanted in a profession–strong communication and interpersonal skills, diplomacy, impactful work–are just as needed in this industry. I’ve never looked back! I enjoy working with people worldwide and getting to know their stories. With the focus on Life Sciences localization, I feel I am contributing to others’ health and wellbeing through the projects I deliver, which is hugely rewarding.
What is one piece of advice you would give to anyone aspiring to work within the localization and translation industry?
One must be adaptable in this industry. Tools, technology, and client needs are constantly changing. Working on global accounts with global teams means that a workday may not be a traditional 9-5. It’s a very dynamic profession.
How long have you been working for Vistatec, and how has the company evolved over that time?
I joined the Life Sciences business unit at Vistatec last summer. In less than a year, I have seen tremendous growth and opportunity. Teams are expanding rapidly to accommodate a very diverse portfolio of clients with unique localization needs.
Tell me a bit about your role and key responsibilities as a Program Manager for our Life Sciences Division?
I am responsible for architecting and implementing a localization solution that meets the unique needs of our clients. This includes defining the production workflow, resources, tools, and reporting. I am also responsible for monitoring the program, which includes identifying new risks and mitigating actions as well as initiating appropriate corrective actions when needed. I work closely with the production and project management teams to ensure that work is being executed to any service level agreements with our clients and that our financial goals on the accounts are being met.
What’s a typical day in Vistatec look like to you?
My workday is driven by a regular cadence of meetings and communication at the team and client levels. Because the work is spread across multiple time zones, typically my mornings are devoted to account/project work in EMEA, and afternoons and occasional evenings to the Americas and APAC. The in-between time can be spent on financial reporting, tool research, professional development, and other team, business unit, and sales-related support.
What is your most memorable experience?
Shortly after joining Vistatec, one of our large accounts scheduled an audit which is a standard practice for regulated clients but was a first for me with the company. What stood out during the whole process was how cohesively the Vistatec cross-functional teams worked to ensure a successful outcome. The process was well-defined, and the participants were all very supportive. We did indeed pass the audit without any citations or suggestions for improvement.
What do you like about working for Vistatec?
One of the things I appreciate most about working at Vistatec is the company’s commitment to a positive work environment. I like that gratitude is at the core of our company culture and that we have an awarding-winning program specifically to recognize the excellent work and good people in the company.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently learning/working on?
Leadership: I am currently focused on the psychology of the team and how I can be a better leader. I am constantly thinking about what constitutes a well-balanced, highly effective team. What are our work and communication habits? What can I do to be a better facilitator so that individuals’ skills are maximized? Am I leading by example? The old saying goes, “A champion team will defeat a team of champions.” In an industry with heavy competition, this can be a crucial differentiator.
Finally, on the topic of Life Sciences, what is happening within the industry right now that you’re excited about?
The European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) took effect in May of 2021 and continues to be a hot topic in the industry. Because of the complexity of the new regulation, the transition will continue for many companies through 2027, depending on their device classification and existing registration and CE marking. Both EU MDR and the new Clinical Trial Regulation (CTR) spotlight the need for greater transparency in research and performance and patient education. Newly required documents like the Summary of Safety and Clinical Performance (SSCP) aim to provide patient information in relatable, understandable language so that they can make more informed decisions on their health. Our clients are using different verification tools/tests on these patient-facing documents to score readability. It’s been interesting to see the differences in the output. Overall, I find it exciting to help our clients navigate the EU MDR terrain.