The development team at Slate Asset Management is again hiring for our Toronto office. We are looking for a coordinator to join the team and gain exposure to all aspects of our projects -- everything from acquisitions to construction and close-out.

For those of you who maybe aren't familiar with all of our projects, feel free to check out Slate's website or the "Developments" menu on this blog.

We are always open to a variety of backgrounds; however, for this role, our ideal candidate would be someone with a bit of a design and/or construction background. Though I would encourage you to apply even if you don't feel like you fit this description.

Broadly speaking, our ambition with all coordinators is to have them quickly take on more responsibility and ultimately lead a portfolio of their own development projects. If this sounds interesting to you, the best way to apply is over on LinkedIn.

Please also feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions about the opportunity.

Image: 100 Lombard

We are looking to hire a Project Coordinator to join the Development team here at Slate Asset Management in our Toronto office.

This is an ideal position for someone who is passionate about development and cities; who wants to be part of an entrepreneurial and growing team; and who is able to be hands on and take ownership over what they do.

The Project Coordinator would work closely with the full Development team and support all aspects of project delivery from acquisition to exit/stabilization. Eventually, we want this person to lead a portfolio of their own development projects.

We're looking for someone with the following skills and characteristics:

• Demonstrated passion for city building, design, and urban affairs

• Experience in real estate and/or development

• Understanding of planning & land use policies, development finance, and design & construction (though, the right attitude and work ethic goes a long way)

• High energy, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment while at the same time being extremely detail oriented

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal (well-reasoned opinions are crucial)

• Proficiency in Excel, SketchUp, CAD/Revit and other relevant software considered an asset

• Degree(s) in related field(s)

If you're interested after reading all of this, please send your resume and cover letter to brandon@slateam.com. Your short cover letter should include why you want to work at Slate, as well as your favorite recent development project (it can be anywhere in the world but make sure to include why).

Alongside this, we would like to see a link/URL that helps us get to know you better. This could be your Twitter or Instagram, a personal blog, a portfolio, or something else that represents who you are. If you don't have any of these, well then you'll have to get creative.

Thanks for your interest.

I just finished watching this Bloomberg video on Shenzhen, called "Inside China's High-Tech Dystopia." The video obviously has a particular point of view, but there are parts of it that I wasn't overly fussed about, such as the push toward increased factory automation. Jobs evolve. We used to have elevator operators. Now we don't. Presumably those people found other empoyment.

What stood out to me was Shenzhen's solution to jaywalking. They use cameras, facial recognization software, and a "wall of shame" to fine and then discourage people from illegally crossing a street ever again. One guy in the video explains how he once had the fine automatically withdrawn from his WeChat account. No authorization required. And it happened within seconds following the infraction.

That feels unsettling. (If you only want to watch the jaywalking part, skip ahead to 5:35 in the video.)