Senior Administrative Assistant

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, seeks a Senior Administrative Assistant to deliver high-level administrative support to the Department of Agriculture Administration, Office of Academic Programs, and Agriculture Alumni Offices. This role handles front-office inquiries, purchasing, event logistics, travel planning, and communications while maintaining financial records and calendars.

It requires strong communication, organizational skills, and MS Office proficiency; university procedures

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 3 years of administrative support experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle interruptions, balance multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact by phone, email, and in person; provide backup front-office coverage.
• Manage departmental purchasing including catering, office supplies, invoices, reimbursements, and related documentation.
• Coordinate logistics for OAP and Ag Alumni events and programs (rooms, food, transportation, materials, setup/teardown).
• Coordinate travel for staff and manage calendars; prepare board meeting agendas.
• Provide administrative support (mailings, database and website updates, communications, equipment, supplies).
• Maintain financial records for the Ag Alumni Association.
• Oversee annual event checklist and coordinate recurring rooms/transportation and other needs.
• Assist directors and staff with routine tasks related to programs and events.
• Sort and distribute mail; receive packages.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Administrative support

Office software

Communication skills

Calendar management

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Team collaboration

Drafting/editing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

QuickBooks

Salesforce

Blackthorn

Cascade

Job description

Job Title: Senior Administrative Assistant

City: West Lafayette

Job Summary

The Department of Agriculture Administration is seeking a Senior Administrative Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to the Office of Academic Programs and Agriculture Alumni Offices.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Serving as a primary point of contact by answering questions and directing inquiries by phone, email, and in person; provide backup front-office coverage, including answering phones and directing visitors
• Managing departmental purchasing, including catering, office supplies, special orders, invoices, reimbursements, purchasing transactions, and related documentation in accordance with university procedures
• Coordinating logistics for OAP and Ag Alumni events and programs, including room reservations, food orders, transportation, printing materials and name badges, and setup/teardown as needed
• Coordinating travel for OAP and Ag Alumni staff and manage calendars, schedule meetings, and prepare agendas for Ag Alumni Board meetings and other programs
• Providing administrative support for OAP and Ag Alumni staff, including mailings, database and website updates, communications, and maintaining office equipment and supplies
• Maintaining financial records for the Ag Alumni Association
• Managing the annual event checklist for the Purdue Ag Alumni Office and take initiative to coordinate recurring rooms, transportation, and other event needs
• Assisting department directors and staff with routine administrative and operational tasks related to programs and events
• Sorting and distributing mail and receive packages
• Other duties as assigned

What We're Looking For:

• High school diploma/GED
• 3 years of experience in an administrative support role
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions, balance multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Advanced computer and related software skills to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, etc.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels within and external to the university to support department needs
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures to proactively resolve issues or improve processes
• Ability to identify problems and implement or recommend solutions
• Drafting, proofreading and editing skills

Nice to Have:

• Knowledge in QuickBooks, Salesforce, Blackthorn, and Cascade

What We'd Like You to Know:

• To learn more about Purdue's benefits summary CLICK HERE
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Non-Exempt (EligibleForOvertime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan

Career Stream

Administrative and Operational Support 3

• Pay Band: S045
• Job Code: 20002331

Career Path Maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

Who We Are

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.