Responsibilities of the Position
Summary
Purdue University, a top-ranked public research institution with a distinguished legacy of advancing innovation, education, and public service, invites nominations and applications for the position of senior director of the Purdue Memorial Union (PMU) and Auxiliary Services. This strategic leadership role presents a unique opportunity to shape the campus experience through oversight of some of the university’s most iconic facilities and services. The senior director will establish a compelling vision, drive operational excellence, and lead initiatives that enhance the student experience, deepen engagement with alumni and visitors, and strengthen revenue generation.
Reporting to the associate vice president for Auxiliary Services, the senior director provides transformational leadership for an expansive and highly visible portfolio of operations serving students, faculty, staff, guests, and community partners—positioning the Purdue Memorial Union and its affiliated units as a cornerstone of the campus experience, institutional identity, and long-term advancement. The senior director cultivates and manages key strategic partnerships, including Purdue Food Company (Aramark) and White Lodging, ensuring seamless integration with the university’s service culture and standards of excellence. This role is instrumental in advancing institutional priorities related to innovation, affordability, and long-term success.
The senior director leads an outstanding team of 39 professionals, including three direct reports, and oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $57.3 million.
Specific/Additional Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Develop and execute a strategic vision that enhances guest experiences, student engagement, university events, and community collaboration in alignment with the Administrative Operations (AO) division and university initiatives.
- Apply the AO leadership competency model to guide individual and team development, including setting clear expectations, fostering accountability, coaching for performance improvement, and cultivating a culture of excellence.
- Measure and report performance using key performance indicators, performance summaries, and social media to strengthen and promote the Purdue Memorial Union brand.
Auxiliary Services and Customer Satisfaction
- Lead efforts to enhance the PMU’s hospitality services, including retail dining, catering, and hotel operations, by leveraging industry best practices and aligning with university goals.
- Ensure third-party providers meet contractual obligations and deliver high-quality customer experiences, actively managing agreements with White Lodging, Aramark, and Event Design Collective.
- Lead contract negotiations and ongoing performance management to optimize service levels, financial outcomes, and operational efficiency.
- Continuously gather and assess stakeholder feedback, making data-driven adjustments to offerings, amenities, and service models to align with evolving customer needs and reinforce the PMU brand and experience.
Financial and Facilities Management
- Oversee financial management, budget planning, and revenue-generating strategies to ensure sustainability, efficiency, and long-term financial strength.
- Develop and implement financial models to optimize operations, maximize resource use, identify and implement revenue-generating strategies and reduce reliance on general funds.
- Strategically plan, prioritize, fund, and execute long-term capital improvements, including major projects, repairs, and rehabilitation efforts.
- Manage large-scale facilities operations, including event setup, custodial services, maintenance, and daily building operations, ensuring high standards of safety, functionality, and service excellence.
Hospitality and Programming
- Leverage guest feedback, performance metrics, and industry trends to develop strategies that drive continuous improvement, service innovation, and operational excellence in hospitality and event management.
- Oversee conference and event operations, including special events, indoor and outdoor space reservations, and large-scale university functions, ensuring seamless execution and high-quality service.
- Collaborate with student organizations, campus partners, and external stakeholders to curate a meaningful and impactful portfolio of facilities and services that fosters a vibrant campus environment.
Stakeholder Relations
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with university departments, student organizations, external stakeholders, and university leadership to align the PMU and Auxiliary Services with institutional priorities, enhance student life, support campus initiatives, and foster community engagement.
- Engage with internal and external partners to enhance business operations, drive revenue generation, and maintain operational excellence, reinforcing the PMU’s role as a premier campus destination.
- Partner with the communications team to develop and implement marketing and advertising initiatives that enhance the PMU’s visibility, promote events and services, and engage students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Leverage social media, digital platforms, and traditional marketing channels to reinforce the PMU brand and drive participation in programs, hospitality offerings, and campus events.
Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate
Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field (a master’s degree in business administration, higher education administration, or hospitality management is preferred); ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, hospitality, auxiliary services, or a comparable sector; demonstrated success in managing large-scale facilities, revenue-generating operations, and strategic growth initiatives; and familiarity with outsourced service providers such as Aramark, White Lodging, or similar partners. Additional qualifications include experience in budget management, contract negotiation, and operational planning; oversight of campus dining, hospitality, or event management services; and demonstrated knowledge of facilities operations and long-term planning.
In addition to the qualifications outlined above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:
- Demonstrates dynamic leadership, accountability, and organizational development capabilities, complemented by emotional intelligence, transparency, and empathy; inspires and unifies staff; fosters both professional and personal growth; advocates for employees at all levels; and promotes a strong culture of collaboration throughout the PMU.
- Is steady and composed under pressure—maintains a calm presence during crises or emergencies and demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and flexibility in a constantly evolving environment.
- Brings an entrepreneurial mindset, with a forward-looking orientation and a willingness to pursue new opportunities within the context of a historic facility; remains informed on emerging trends and best practices; and consistently seeks innovative revenue streams.
- Possesses strong oral and written communication skills—able to navigate competing perspectives, engage effectively with all levels of the university and external stakeholders, and clearly articulate the story and impact of the PMU and Auxiliary Services to students, parents, faculty, administrators, alumni, and the broader campus community.
- Demonstrates energy and enthusiasm for the role, a passion for the work, a consistently positive outlook, and a commitment to enhancing the student and customer experience.
- Listens actively and thoughtfully—asks insightful questions, learns and respects the culture of the university and the PMU, values staff input, communicates transparently at all levels, makes well-informed, data-driven decisions promptly, and stands by those decisions, even when they are difficult or unpopular.
- Demonstrates strong diplomatic skills, political acumen, and the ability to build consensus around issues central to the PMU’s mission and operations.
History of the Position
The position of senior director of the Purdue Memorial Union and Auxiliary Services was established in 2019 as part of a period of significant institutional investment, particularly within the PMU. Concurrently, the university launched strategic partnerships with White Lodging, a premier hotel operator, and Aramark, which assumed management of Purdue’s retail dining operations. From its inception, the senior director role has served as a critical linchpin in aligning these partnerships with institutional priorities and ensuring their long-term success.
Zane Reif transitioned from the Division of Student Life to serve as the inaugural senior director, holding the role for five years. During his tenure, the PMU expanded its portfolio to include University Conferences, further solidifying its role as a comprehensive auxiliary services enterprise. The Union Club Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property located within the PMU, recently enhanced its offerings with the addition of a spa and a signature steakhouse, creating a fully integrated hospitality experience.
In 2024, Reif departed for professional advancement, and Damon Bell, formerly of White Lodging, was appointed to the role. His tenure as senior director was brief, as he returned to White Lodging to assume the general manager position at the Union Club Hotel. The PMU maintains a strong, collaborative working relationship with Bell in his current capacity. Purdue University has partnered with Spelman Johnson to advance the recruitment of this critical leadership role.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Role
In transitioning to Purdue University, the senior director of the Purdue Memorial Union and Auxiliary Services will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:
- The senior director must champion a culture of collaboration and partnership across the Purdue Memorial Union, Auxiliary Services, Administrative Operations, and the broader campus to ensure organizational effectiveness. Given the PMU’s extensive engagement with students, faculty, administrators, departments, tenants, vendors, and external partners, the senior director should initiate a thoughtful listening tour upon arrival to promote open communication, transparency, and trust. This effort will strengthen existing partnerships—particularly with Aramark and White Lodging—while establishing new, productive relationships. These connections are essential to understanding stakeholder needs, enhancing programs and services, increasing facility utilization, and reinforcing the PMU’s reputation as a student- and customer-centered operation.
- The PMU team is deeply committed to delivering exceptional service and fostering a supportive, high-performing environment. The senior director should prioritize meaningful engagement with staff by investing time in understanding individual roles and responsibilities, building trust and confidence, and providing consistent professional support at all levels. This intentional focus will strengthen team cohesion, support ongoing staff development, and sustain a culture of excellence across the organization.
- The senior director must be a systems thinker with the ability to develop and execute both short- and long-term strategic plans. Operating in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment, this individual must excel in prioritization, multitasking, and diplomacy. Establishing and advancing a comprehensive strategic plan for the Purdue Memorial Union will be essential to sustaining long-term success. As part of Auxiliary Services within the Administrative Operations division, the PMU operates within a complex business model. Accordingly, the senior director must quickly assess the fiscal environment, identify strengths and opportunities, and pursue new revenue streams while enhancing operational efficiency. With additional hotel and conference center capacity coming online in the West Lafayette area and the continued growth of the Purdue Indianapolis campus, the senior director must take a proactive, forward-looking approach to strengthen the PMU’s competitive position and expand its conference services operation.
- The scope of this position is broad, encompassing oversight of remote facilities beyond the PMU, including the Stewart Center and the Krach Leadership Center, as well as close coordination with retail dining and hospitality operations. Given this complexity, strong organizational and leadership skills are essential. The senior director must quickly assess the full range of responsibilities, build relationships with staff across all areas, and establish clear priorities. With strong institutional support, this individual will be well-positioned to advance a dynamic, forward-looking portfolio of programs and facilities. As priorities are implemented, the senior director should evaluate existing programs and services, strengthen those that are effective, refine or sunset those that are not, and pursue new and innovative offerings and partnerships.
- While the role includes significant administrative responsibilities, the senior director must remain highly visible, approachable, and engaged throughout the PMU and across campus. This individual should actively connect with students and the broader university community, collaborate with colleagues, and serve as a visible ambassador for the PMU. To uphold its reputation as one of Purdue’s most service-oriented organizations, the senior director must be recognized as a proactive problem-solver, effective change agent, and skilled consensus-builder.
Measures of Success
The following measures will define success for the senior director of the Purdue Memorial Union and Auxiliary Services during the first year of employment:
- The senior director has conducted a comprehensive listening tour within the PMU, with partners, and other stakeholders across campus; completed a thorough assessment of facilities, operations, and organizational effectiveness; and begun developing strategic and operational plans that guide both short- and long-term success.
- The senior director has established strong, positive relationships with university administrators, vendor partners, student leaders and organizations, and campus departments, resulting in meaningful collaboration and effective partnerships across the institution.
- The senior director is widely recognized as the visible and approachable leader of the PMU, actively engaging with the campus community, regularly attending events and programs, contributing to campus-wide committees and initiatives, and serving as a trusted resource on student union- and other auxiliary-related matters.
- The PMU is operating from a position of financial strength, with clear short- and long-term financial plans in place; conference services revenue and scope are expanding; facilities are well maintained; operations are running efficiently; contracts are effectively managed; and new revenue opportunities are being actively pursued.
- The PMU team demonstrates a high level of cohesion and collaboration, working seamlessly together and with vendor partners; staff morale and retention are strong; a culture of trust and respect is evident; staff achievements are recognized and celebrated; and the senior director is visible, accessible, and actively engaged, fostering an energized work environment with consistent opportunities for professional development.
Overview of Purdue Memorial Union, Auxiliary Services, and Administrative Operations
Purdue Memorial Union
The Purdue Memorial Union is one of the university’s most iconic and active destinations—serving students and guests through hospitality offerings and historic spaces enhanced with modern amenities. PMU operations include the Union Club Hotel, Atlas Family Marketplace, Stewart Center, Krach Leadership Center, and various auxiliary enterprises, including retail dining, conferences, and event management. These operations support campus engagement, alumni hospitality, and strategic revenue generation—enhancing student life, fostering community, and showcasing Purdue’s commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation.
Union Club Hotel
The Union Club Hotel, a distinguished member of the Marriott Autograph Collection and managed by White Lodging, offers a premier hospitality experience at the heart of Purdue University. Founded by Purdue alumnus Bruce White, White Lodging brings industry-leading expertise to the hotel’s operations while maintaining a strong connection to the university’s mission.
Uniquely positioned as the only student-run Autograph Collection hotel in the world, the Union Club Hotel serves as a dynamic learning environment for students in the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, providing hands-on experience in a high-end, full-service setting. Following a comprehensive renovation completed between 2019 and 2020, the hotel earned national recognition with the 2021 AHEAD Americas Hotel Renovation Award, further elevating its reputation for excellence in design and guest experience.
Today, the Union Club Hotel features a curated portfolio of upscale amenities, including 8Eleven Modern Bistro, Boiler Up Bar, Leaps Coffee, and The Spa, which opened in July 2024. Expanding its hospitality footprint, the hotel also operates Boilerhouse Prime, a fine-dining steakhouse located at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex’s Pete Dye Clubhouse, which opened in April 2025. Together, these offerings create a fully integrated hospitality experience that blends innovation, education, and exceptional service.
Atlas Family Marketplace
The Atlas Family Marketplace serves as the vibrant centerpiece of the $35.7 million renovation of the Purdue Memorial Union’s ground floor, completed in 2022. Designed to elevate the campus dining and gathering experience, the project has received national recognition, including the 2024 ACUI Facility Design Award and the 2022 ASID Wisconsin Gold Design Excellence Award.
At its core, the marketplace features 12 distinct dining venues operated by Purdue Food Company (Aramark), offering a diverse range of culinary options to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Complementing its dining offerings, the Atlas Family Marketplace incorporates dynamic programming spaces and expansive outdoor terraces, creating a flexible, high-energy environment that supports connection, engagement, and community on campus.
Auxiliary Services
The Auxiliary Services team is responsible for transformative services associated with procurement, parking, transportation, airport operations, supplier diversity, and materials management and distribution. Additionally, the team is responsible for implementing and managing multimillion-dollar contract transactions and retail contracting with the private sector. With a focus on fiscal stewardship and revenue generation, the Auxiliary Services team strives to deliver solutions that match the demands of a changing campus.
Auxiliary Services provides programs and services that support the Purdue experience, including:
- Airport Operations and Commercial Air Service
- Campus Retail Dining
- Campus Transit
- Conferences and Event Design
- Materials Management and Distribution
- Parking Operations
- Procurement Services
- Purdue Memorial Union
- Purdue Travel
- Trademarks and Licensing
Leadership
Jessica Robertson
Jessica Robertson, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services, leads Purdue University’s Auxiliary Services department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana State University. Robertson brings extensive public-sector experience and deep expertise in procurement and operational leadership.
Prior to joining Purdue in 2018, she served in cabinet-level roles under Governors Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Administration. Earlier, she was the State of Tennessee’s first chief procurement officer, leading significant procurement reform initiatives. Robertson began her public-sector career in 2005 as a Governor’s Fellow.
Administrative Operations
Administrative Operations is the operational backbone of Purdue University, delivering the essential services, infrastructure, and support that sustain daily life across campus. With more than 1,300 employees, AO plays a critical role in enabling the university’s mission of education, research, and public service by ensuring that Purdue’s spaces, systems, and services are safe, functional, and future-focused.
At the heart of AO is a shared purpose: “We power Purdue.” This commitment reflects the organization’s essential role in delivering the services that enable the university to operate safely, efficiently, and with lasting impact. AO fulfills this mission by ensuring a safe campus environment, maintaining functional and well-cared-for grounds, providing high-quality facilities, and procuring essential goods and services with a focus on value and stewardship.
Every team member contributes to this mission, supporting the day-to-day and long-term needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. AO’s culture is grounded in core values that guide how staff approach their work each day—be respectful, demonstrate teamwork, and commit to performance excellence. Together, these principles shape internal collaboration and external service, reinforcing a consistent, mission-driven approach to operations across the university.
Leadership
Michael B. Cline
Michael B. Cline, a professional engineer with decades of leadership and engineering experience in both the public and private sectors, serves as senior vice president for Purdue University Administrative Operations and chief operating officer for Purdue University in Indianapolis. By prioritizing customer service, innovation, and accountability, Cline ensures the delivery of high-quality services in a cost-effective manner.
Cline earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and returned to the university in July 2013. In his role as senior vice president, he oversees more than 1,300 employees, a $300 million capital program, and a $200 million annual operating budget. His responsibilities include capital project delivery, real estate, campus master planning, public safety, environmental health and safety, parking and transportation, airport operations, the Purdue Memorial Union, and the operation and maintenance of existing buildings, including the Wade Utility Plant. Current major capital projects in West Lafayette include the $149 million South Hall, the $160 million Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building, and the $168 million Daniels School of Business building.
Administrative Operations Organizational Chart
About Administrative Operations
Institutional Overview
Purdue University, founded in 1869, is a world-renowned public research university that advances discoveries in science, technology, engineering, and math. As Indiana’s land-grant university, Purdue offers more than 200 undergraduate programs, more than 80 graduate programs, and professional degrees in pharmacy and veterinary medicine. As a globally recognized research institution, Purdue has paved the way for progress and established a responsibility to improve industries. Purdue continues its standing as a top 10 public university in the U.S., ranking number nine in the QS World University Rankings 2026, number seven among its Big Ten peers,and number one among all universities in Indiana.
With a long-standing commitment to affordability, Purdue has frozen tuition at its main campus since 2012, a policy currently extended through at least 2026-27. This initiative has contributed to 65 percent of undergraduate students graduating debt-free.
Purdue fosters a comprehensive residential and academic experience through a dynamic and inclusive community, supported by learning communities, Division I athletics, cultural centers, and nearly 1,000 student organizations. The university also maintains a growing urban presence through Purdue University in Indianapolis and is expanding its digital reach through Purdue University Online and Purdue Global.
The Student Body
Total Enrollment: 57,310
Undergraduate: 43,067
Graduate: 14,243
Male: 59%
Female: 41%
Institutional Leadership
Mung Chiang
Mung Chiang serves as president of Purdue University and the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In 2020, as science and technology adviser to the U.S. secretary of state, he launched technology diplomacy initiatives within the federal government. In 2024, he was appointed to the inaugural board of the U.S. Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation, which he chairs, and was elected to the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Chiang earned a Bachelor of Science (1999), Master of Science (2000), and Doctor of Philosophy (2003) from Stanford University, and received an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College in 2024.
Benefits Overview
Purdue University offers a variety of benefits to meet the varying needs of today’s workforce. Please click here to view a summary of the benefits available to faculty and staff in benefit-eligible positions. More details are provided in Purdue’s full 2026 benefits guide.
Application
Review of applications will begin on June 3, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click on the blue “Apply for Position” button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit the website at https://www.purdue.edu/
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