Happy City is changing the way people around the world think about cities and wellbeing, and we need help.

Happy City (HC) is a Vancouver-based consulting firm which helps build happiness into neighborhoods and cities through research, workshops, public events and collaborative consulting. Our work is grounded in evidence from psychology, neuroscience, public health, and behavioral economics. Our inspiration comes from urban innovations around the world. We tell this story in the book Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design. We work with governments, NGOs, real estate developers and cultural institutions. Our recent clients include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Congress for New Urbanism and the Government of Mexico City.

Happy City is looking for a thoughtful and organized city-lover to support our growing team in the role of administrator/researcher.

The right candidate will bring a practical approach to day-to-day administration and team coordination. This work will include managing budgets, client relations, communications, handling logistics, coordinating team assignments and monitoring deliverables. While the main focus of this role is business administration, we regularly require research and analysis on urban design, planning and wellbeing issues. A background in urban planning would be beneficial.

This is a part-time, contract position for 6 months starting July 1, with the possibility of ongoing work with more creative potential and responsibility.

Responsibilities

Operational administration

• Helping coordinate team members’ work.
• Provide and manage client relations, including e-mail communications and redirecting enquiries to appropriate team member.
• Arrange travel, accommodations and logistics for team.
• Support the recruitment, employment, and evaluation, of contract personnel.
• Maintain necessary data and reporting to aid in decisions making, and tracking and following up on key issues.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with 3rd party vendors (e.g. support services).
• Manage archives of project materials, shared documents, contracts, subcontractor deliverables, etc.
• Provide insight and ideas from an operational perspective to help support the growth of HC’s consulting services (e.g. HR, finance, client relationships, and communications).
• Support business development activities including writing of client proposals, agreements, etc.

Research and Communications

• Coordinate the development of internal and external communications. This includes executive briefings, preparation for engagements and special projects.
• Support the production of technical reports for external facing work.
• Coordinating website and social media communications.
• Conduct research on urban design, planning, community engagement and wellbeing.
• Image sourcing, obtaining permission for use of images.
• Report writing and editing.
• Basic desktop design and layout.

Finance and accounting

• Handle invoicing, time sheets, expenses, reconciling payments using Freshbooks accounting system
• Support the development of annual/project budgets and monitoring cash flow.
• Reconcile monthly activity, help generate year-end reports, and fulfill tax-related requirements, liaising with our accountant.
• Ensure that accounting, tax and insurance questions are resolved and communicated in a timely manner to internal and external parties.

Required Skills and Experience

• You are either already a wiz on the Freshbooks accounting system or are keen to master this platform.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Know how to define the priorities amongst all the “priorities.”
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills to work effectively with various contractors, government officials and other customers.
• Excellent communicator who’s known for listening and writing skills.
• An adventurer who loves to help navigate unchartered territory.

Compensation

$20 CAD per hour

Applications

Please send your CV, references and a short letter in PDF form, explaining why you are right for this position to:
info at thehappycity.com

Deadline for applications is at 5pm PST on Friday, June 26, 2015.

SOURCE: GoodWork.ca