Type:   Non-exempt, Hourly (37.5 hours/week)

Reports to: Financial Empowerment Program Manager

Location: Cambridge, MA

Just A Start is seeking a Financial Coach and Educator to join our team. In this role, you will serve as a guide, champion, and accountability partner to help individuals set clear financial goals, develop manageable action plans, and access the resources, education, tools, and encouragement they need to stay on track. You will also provide accessible, practical financial education to low- and moderate-income individuals seeking greater financial stability, with a focus on building wealth and strengthening their economic futures.

As part of the Financial Empowerment team, you will provide one-on-one financial coaching and help develop and deliver engaging financial education workshops tailored to the experiences and needs of diverse audiences. We are looking for someone who brings energy, enthusiasm, and a strong collaborative spirit to work closely with the Program Manager in shaping a financial coaching and education program that continues to evolve and is responsive to the needs of the community.

Just A Start Financial Coaches and Educators are:

• Compassionate and non-judgmental: Respect clients as the decision-makers and drivers of their own lives. Approach each interaction with openness, cultural humility, and respect for diverse lived experiences.
• Dedicated to our communities: Demonstrate a commitment to social justice and economic fairness while helping individuals navigate complex systems and connecting services across our programs to better serve the community.
• Results-focused: Track client progress, celebrate successes, and maintain accurate records to demonstrate impact and strengthen program outcomes.
• Creative problem-solvers: Bring curiosity, creativity, and energy to the work; continuously learn and develop new tools, resources, and approaches to help clients achieve their financial goals.
• Strong believers in partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with internal programs, partner agencies, and other service providers to connect clients with resources and services that support their goals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one financial coaching to individual clients and program participants, serving as a trusted partner and champion as they work toward their financial goals using Just A Start’s coaching framework.
• Educate clients on relevant, accurate, and accessible financial management topics, including cash flow analysis, bill tracking, debt reduction, and credit management, as well as how to access needed resources and services.
• Deliver engaging financial education workshops tailored to the interests, experiences, and needs of diverse groups, incorporating real-life examples, relatable scenarios, practical tools, and actionable information.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and other reporting data, while meeting deadlines and program requirements.
• Manage time and workload effectively across in-person and virtual coaching and education sessions, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other Just A Start programs to provide financial coaching and education opportunities for our residents, clients, and participants.
• Build and maintain strong referral partnerships and clear communication with internal programs, external partner agencies, and service providers to connect participants with appropriate resources and services.
• Represent Just A Start as a welcoming and knowledgeable program ambassador at community fairs, tabling events, and other external settings to share information, build community connections, and engage potential clients.

Approximate current time allocation: 50% one-on-one financial coaching; 30% financial education workshops; 20% administrative, record keeping, and other responsibilities. These allocations may change as our program evolves over time.

This is a 37.5-hour-per-week hybrid remote/in-office position, with in-person work expected 3 days a week.

Job Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bring at least 1 to 3 years of full-time experience as a financial coach or financial educator.
• Bring at least 1 to 3 years of experience working with low- to moderate-income individuals, using trauma-informed approaches and demonstrating cultural humility.
• Apply a strong understanding of personal finance fundamentals and adult learning principles to provide effective, accessible client education.
• Build trusting, client-centered relationships through active listening, empathy, respect, and thoughtful communication that creates space for open and honest dialogue.
• Use a holistic, adaptable approach to understand clients’ goals, experiences, and underlying sources of financial stress, responding with flexibility and positivity in a changing environment.
• Make financial concepts accessible and actionable through clear, engaging presentations and communication tailored to diverse audiences, learning styles, and needs
• Work effectively across diverse communities and teams, balancing independence with collaboration and contributing as a supportive and reliable team member.
• Experience and comfort using Microsoft Office, Zoom and Google Suite applications.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali or Amharic is a plus.  
• Experience with Salesforce or an equivalent CRM is a plus. 
• Bachelor’s degree or comparable education is preferred. 
• Additional education or certifications in financial education or coaching would be helpful (AFC, APFC, CFEI or CMC). 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a 37.5 hour per week non-exempt, hourly position with a pay range of $29.00-$34.00 per hour. In addition to competitive compensation, Just A Start offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, transportation benefits, 20 PTO days in the first year, 13 paid holidays, volunteer time off, employee assistance program, and a 401k savings plan with a 3% employer contribution. Just A Start has also implemented a “Find Your Joy Fridays” benefit that allows full-time employees to leave work at 2:00 pm on Fridays. 

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Our staff represents a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds coming together in pursuit of common goals.  We value diversity and work together to create an inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive and belong.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS    

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT   

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.