Program Administration Specialist (Indianapolis, IN, US)Purdue University

Job Summary

The Program Administration Specialist serves as a professional contributor responsible for administering and supporting a variety of academic, research, student-focused, and strategic programs that advance the Purdue University in Indianapolis mission. Reporting to Indianapolis leadership, this position works collaboratively with the Director of Indianapolis Program Operations and Chief of Staff, the Managing Director Pre Med & Health, the Assistant Vice Provost for Indianapolis, the Associate Vice President for Research Development, and other university leaders to support the implementation, coordination, and assessment of programs and initiatives across the Indianapolis campus.

The specialist supports day-to-day program operations, facilitates communications among internal and external stakeholders, coordinates program activities and events, assists with program evaluation efforts, and contributes to the successful implementation of new initiatives. This position works independently on moderately complex assignments while helping ensure programs are delivered effectively and in alignment with university objectives. This full-time professional staff position will work in person on campus in Indianapolis, Indiana, while collaborating regularly with colleagues and stakeholders located in both Indianapolis and West Lafayette.

At Purdue, you’ll join a community where unrivaled pride and unlimited potential are more than just words—they’re the foundation of how we work and grow, together. If you’re ready to help build a better world through research that matters, take the next step and join us on this path.

About Us:

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation. 

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will need:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Two (2) years of experience in program administration, project coordination, event management, operations, higher education administration, or related professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Strong organizational, planning, and project coordination skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience coordinating meetings, events, and stakeholder communications
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to customer service

Skills:

• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues methodically and document how they were resolved.
• Working knowledge of relational data concepts and experience querying or manipulating data.
• Experience reviewing, cleaning, and validating large data files.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including explaining technical topics to non-technical users.
• Customer-service focus when answering support requests.
• Ability to manage several tasks and deadlines with guidance.
• Willingness to learn new systems and take direction from a senior team member.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Nice to Have:

• Experience working in higher education, academic administration, research administration, or university operations
• Experience supporting executive leaders or senior administrators
• Experience with project management tools and task-tracking systems
• Experience managing events, conferences, retreats, or large-scale meetings
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, and presentation materials for leadership
• Familiarity with university financial, purchasing, or reimbursement processes
• Experience using Microsoft Power Automate, Bookings, Forms, Power BI, or other workflow automation and reporting tools
• Experience facilitating cross-functional collaboration among academic, administrative, and external partners.

Additional Information:

• The preferred application deadline is November 18, 2026
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Career Stream

Professional 2

Pay Band S060

Job Code # 20002086

The anticipated annual salary for this position is $60,000. The final salary offer will be determined based on various factors, including internal equity, available budget, and relevant experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university