Associate Operations Specialist - Athletics

Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates. The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community. Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career. 

The Associate Operations Specialist – Athletics position plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the John Purdue Club, helping ensure an exceptional experience for our donors, members, and fans. This position offers hands-on exposure to gift processing, event coordination, donor communications, and athletics operations while working closely with Purdue Athletics and Purdue for Life teams. It’s an exciting opportunity for a detail-oriented, service-minded professional—especially recent graduates—who want to build a strong foundation in development operations within one of the most visible and respected athletics programs in the country. If you enjoy fast-paced work, collaboration, and making a behind-the-scenes impact, this position is for you. Your next giant leap starts here.

Responsibilities

• Oversee gift processing of donor checks, credit card payments, etc. received directly by the John Purdue Club offices, ensuring funds are credited to the proper accounts and appropriate individuals.

• Oversee and manage invoices for season ticket renewals and John Purdue Club membership renewals. 

• Oversee all FedEx and mail services in support of John Purdue Club operations.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the John Purdue Club e-mail inbox and secondary point of contact on the John Purdue Club Travel e-mail inbox. 

• Coordinate and manage athletics facility tours for John Purdue Club members in partnership with Purdue Athletics Marketing and individual sport programs.

• Oversee John Purdue Club VIP Parking for basketball, football, volleyball, and baseball seasons.

• Serve as primary point of contact for parking operations for the John Purdue Club in coordination with the Athletics Ticket Office and campus parking. Ensure parking maps for all sports are updated on the main Purdue Sports webpage. 

• Execute hard copy acknowledgement letters and new member donor packets in coordination with central Broad-Based Campaigns and Donor Relations & Stewardship teams. 

• Print and mail John Purdue Club membership cards when requested.
  Oversee John Purdue Club football suite catering orders and manage Levy contract processing for all premium seating areas.

• Manage and implement project workflows in Asana for John Purdue Club operations to ensure all deadlines are met.

• Submit Airtable requests through Purdue Athletics Creative team for special event graphics. 

• Build and manage registration for 70+ John Purdue Club and Athletics alumni events annually in collaboration with the Special Events team.

• Process event registration payments in Blackthorn and administer John Purdue Club–specific event refunds as needed.

• Assist with John Purdue Club and Purdue Athletics website edits.

• Oversee Spurgeon Club card access for Purdue Men’s and Women’s Basketball. 

• Audit John Purdue Club event registrant data to ensure accuracy for pre-event and follow-up communications.

• Submit Lythos and Photoshelter requests for John Purdue Club event photography to support use in Purdue for Life and Purdue Athletics publications and social media channels.

• Submit Marketing Cloud Intake request forms for all outbound John Purdue Club e-mail communications. 

• Oversee and manage John Purdue Club student interns.

• Assist with special projects as assigned by the Sr Director, Development Operations – Athletics, Athletics administration, and Purdue for Life leadership.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent written/verbal communication and organizational skills.

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Ability to work with diverse groups.

• Ability to represent Purdue for Life, the University and Athletics with tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to be creative, accurate, and sensitive and to work with confidential information and make sound judgments.

• Ability to identify and determine problems, analyze information and implement solutions.

• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team environment.

• Must be able and willing to work in inclement weather conditions.

• Must be able to lift 25-50lbs if needed.

• Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Required Education, Experience and Benefits Summary

• Bachelor's degree preferred

• 1-3 years relevant work experience required

• Some office experience desirable

Job Level: Professional 1

Benefits Summary for eligible employees:

• 10 paid holidays per year.

• Accrue up to 22 vacation days a year.

• Traditional pre-tax 403(b) and Roth retirement plans available.

• 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan and immediate vesting.

• Health Savings Account- earn up to $700 annually towards medical expenses.

• Employer funded Preventative Dental and Vision insurance. 

• Tuition discounts on eligible programs at Purdue University and Purdue Global for qualified employees, spouses, and dependents.

About Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Purdue for Life views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all Foundation-related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.  All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

Purdue for Life will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.

A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.