Financial Coach

Job Description: Financial Coach  

About This Opportunity

• Location: Hybrid, Northeast Tennessee (remote/hybrid work with required regional travel)
• Application Deadline: May 15th, 2024
• Start Date: June 2024
• Type: Full-Time, 40-Hours per week, Local travel required

Appalachian Opportunity Fund (AOF) is a 501c3 financial coaching non-profit and social enterprise based in northeast Tennessee. Our mission is to build community wealth in Central Appalachia by supporting the financial well-being of households and individuals. We provide a dynamic and engaging work environment ideal for individuals committed to community service, economic justice, social innovation, and life-long learning.

Since 2019, we have provided free financial coaching services and/or affordable lending to more than 700 clients through our People-Centered Financial Coaching and Financial Freedom Fund programs. As of October 2023, our clients have collectively:

• Increased credit scores by 14,735 points
• Paid off $500,000 in high interest and predatory debt
• Paid off $326,684 in delinquent debt
• Negotiated savings of nearly $90k
• Secured 34 safe and affordable housing units
• Secured 71 safe and affordable vehicles

We are seeking an additional Financial Coach to join our team and support our mission as we expand partnerships and services in the years to come. AOF strives to provide a positive work environment that values our staff and their input in the development of organizational programming and workplace culture/conditions. A successful candidate will be a self-starter who possesses exceptional drive and motivation to serve our region through direct client engagement. We are constantly investigating ways to improve and make our programming more effective. We seek candidates who are fired up to collaborate with staff and community partners to maximize our positive economic impact through creative social innovation.

We encourage candidates who possess a passion for financial/life coaching and a strong desire to learn and grow to apply, even if they do not meet every single qualification listed below. Research suggests that women and members of other underserved communities may self-exclude themselves from job candidacy pools at higher rates than other groups. We value a diversity of life and educational experiences relevant to this role, and we understand that skills and expertise can be developed over time.

Job Summary

An AOF Financial Coach provides one-on-one financial coaching and group education that prioritizes clients’ financial capability, raises awareness and referrals to programming, and engages community partners to drive engagement in AOF’s programs and services. AOF Financial Coaches will work directly with community members to assess their individual financial situations and develop personalized plans to reduce financial stress and build towards financial stability, or as we like to call it, “Financial Freedom”.

AOF coaches possess or work towards certification with the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). Newly hired Financial Coaches who do not possess certification with AFCPE will work under a certified AOF Financial Coach until certification is obtained.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $50,000 per year
• PTO:One flexible paid day off each quarter starting immediately
• Paid day off for your birthday starting immediately
• Paid holidays starting immediately
• 80 hours PTO/yr beginning after three months of employment
• 120 hours PTO/yr beginning after one year of employment
• Closed week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Work anniversary recognition
• Professional development stipend
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• $50 monthly wellness stipend
• Salary growth potential based on performance and years of service

Duties and Responsibilities to include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct one-on-one financial coaching meetings
• Develop and assign action items that progress client toward defined goals and milestones
• Conduct strategic follow-up to motivate and assist clients with completing action items
• Possess or work towards AFCPE certification, including period continued education to retain certification
• Until AFCPE certification is obtained: Be willing to work under a currently AFCPE certified coach
• Document, track, and update client information for impact reporting
• Maintain client and program-specific files and databases
• Prepare credit bureau dispute and settlement letters for program clients (when applicable)
• Work with coaching team to increase number of individuals coached
• Continuously evaluate impact alongside team to improve program impact
• Establish and nurture relationships with community partners
• Pursue and serve AOF clients
• Ensure that all program goals, standards, and policies are met
• Complete program reports and deliver to appropriate recipient
• Facilitate the Financial Freedom Fund
• Facilitate Trusted Partner Network relationships
• Research tools for enhancing the financial capability for clients
• Perform all other miscellaneous responsibilities and duties as assigned

Skills and Education

• Bachelor’s degree or 4+ year experience in financial industry, social work, or related field
• Must work to obtain AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification during the first 12-months of employment
• High emotional intelligence and empathy
• Resilience in dealing with client trauma
• Strategic thinking skills, including ability to plan and execute tactical strategies to implement company objectives
• Must be comfortable with both internal and external communications to partners
• Ability to effectively and positively develop and influence others
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to conduct group and individual financial counseling meetings
• Good listener and self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work with minimal hands-on direction
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Desire to work with underserved communities
• Multitask oriented with the ability to initiate, manage, and maintain several projects and program relationships simultaneously
• Basic computer literacy: minimum proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, etc)
• Provide personal transportation (with compensated mileage) that will allow work travel as needed within Northeast Tennessee OR Southwest Virginia (about a two-hour radius)

Desired Characteristics

• High-energy individual who demonstrates confidence, accountability, and professionalism while demonstrating personal integrity, resilience, and respect for others
• Strong contributor with analytical skills and the ability to identify and proactively communicate industry and governance trends
• Adaptability and willingness to continuously adjust program strategy to maximize client impact
• Ability to plan and conduct meetings and presentations
• Specialized knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Housing, Social Work, Investments, Insurance, Community Development, Public Benefits, Spanish

AOF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free from any form of discrimination and harassment. We believe diversity and inclusion are vital to the success of our organization. All employment decisions at AOF are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable laws.

Hiring Timeline (Tentative)

• Interviews will be conducted between May 15th-May 24th
• A job offer will be extended by May 30th
• Tentative Start Date: June 2024
• This hiring timeline is subject to change. We will do our best to be respectful and communicate any changes to this timeline to our candidates.

How to Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, and any other supporting materials that you would like to provide to info@aofcoaching.net by May 15^th, 2024.