We’re storytellers and community builders, helping companies, regions, and leaders grow their brands and tap into the largest community of purpose-driven startup & tech professionals.

About the Role

This role blends four areas of impact. Priority #1 is being our on-site Event Host for Detroit happy hours. Priority #2 is local storytelling and community news coverage. Social amplification and business referrals are meaningful add-ons that can increase your impact (and your earnings).

Important: We’re open to splitting this role into multiple positions. If you’re a strong fit for either priority bucket (Event Host and/or Storyteller), please still apply.

What You’ll Do

1) On-Site Event Host (Priority #1)

You’ll be the friendly, reliable in-person presence at our local events, like the Startup Detroit Happy Hour, our popular event for the local startup and tech community, which typically has 100+ attendees. You may also be asked to attend other community events as the Purpose Jobs representative, growing our community and brand awareness.

The Startup Detroit Happy Hours are generally hosted on Tuesday nights from 5 to 7 PM and are planned for every other month through 2026 at various venues in and around downtown. Purpose Jobs will handle the technical setup (event pages, RSVPs, venue coordination, and comms), and you’ll help bring it to life on the ground alongside our co-host, Detroit Venture Partners.

Additionally, Purpose Jobs is hoping to expand its local event types and offerings, and you may be asked to serve as the host for those, too. Your ideas are always welcome, too!

For events hosted by Purpose Jobs, your responsibilities will generally include:

Arrive early to help set up a simple check-in area (signage, name tags, materials)
Run check-in smoothly (guest list, walk-ins, basic troubleshooting)
Welcome guests, make introductions, and help the room feel connected and inclusive
Handle light on-site coordination with venue staff as needed (in-the-moment support)
Capture a few quick photos/videos during the event (phone is fine)
Assist with wrap-up and share a short post-event debrief

2) Local Storyteller (Priority #2)

You’ll help tell the story of Detroit’s (and the larger Michigan) startup and tech community—events, people, funding news—through short, high-quality blogs.

Pitch story ideas within our content pillars (local news, profiles, community highlights, event recaps)
Get approval, then report/write according to our brand’s style guide
Incorporate quotes/interviews when relevant
Collaborate with our team on edits and publishing

3) Social Distribution & Amplification

Because you’re the local face of Purpose Jobs, we’d like to encourage you to use your LinkedIn to help amplify our Michigan events and stories. We’ll provide copy suggestions, links, and brand assets.

Baseline expectation around events:

1 pre-event share on LinkedIn
1 post-event share within ~48 hours

Optional growth (if you’re into it):

Additional posts that spotlight local stories, partners, or community moments
Short video clips or “what I’m seeing in Detroit” quick takes

4) Business Referrals & Lead Introductions (Optional, paid)

We love it when community builders connect dots (and believe this can naturally happen in this role). If you introduce us to a business that becomes a paying client, you will earn a referral payout.

Make warm introductions (we’ll handle sales conversations and closing)
Earn 5% of the first year’s collected revenue for referred clients (tracked and defined clearly)

We’ll provide some light training to ensure you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to make strong intros.

Who You Are

Our ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

Based in the Detroit metro area and available for in-person events
Warm, dependable, and comfortable hosting in social settings
Organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and high-initiative
Editorial/writing experience and curious about local Detroit and Michigan stories
Professional and authentic on LinkedIn (or willing to learn fast) with an established network across the local startup and tech community
A natural connector with a genuine interest in seeing the local startup and tech community thrive

Time Commitment & Logistics

Event-based schedule (typically 1 evening every other month, with an opportunity for event hosting responsibilities to grow)
Writing cadence is flexible based on your availability and our editorial calendar

Compensation

Exact pay and terms will be explicitly detailed in any offer. Here are the ranges to give you a starting idea:

Flat rate per event hosted (on-site + light prep/debrief + 2 social posts)
- Ex: For the Startup Detroit Happy Hour, we’ll pay $300 per event.
Flat rate per published story, based on type* (paid per accepted/published piece; including 1 social post)
- Quick News Spotlight (short, no interviews): $100–$175
- Community Event Recap (attend + recap): $200–$300
- Feature/Profile (includes interview): $350–$600
Client referral payout: 5% of the first year’s collected revenue for referred clients (terms defined)

*Story type and pay will always be confirmed before writing, so expectations and pay are clear.

We’re Open to Splitting This Role

If you’re excited about events but not writing, or you’re a strong storyteller but not available for every happy hour, apply anyway. We’re open to structuring this as:

Event Host only
Storyteller only
Or a combined role for the right person

How to Apply

Please complete the form below. In the "Additional info" box, please share the following:

A short note on which bucket(s) you’re applying for: Event Host, Storyteller, or Both
Why you're interested in joining the Purpose Jobs team
(If interested in the storyteller piece) Your writing portfolio, writing sample, or 1–2 links to posts/articles you’ve written

Purpose Jobs is an equal opportunity employer.

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