Founded in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a top-ranked national university rooted in the Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount traditions. LMU is committed to fostering a diverse academic community rich in opportunity for intellectual engagement and real-world experience. LMU enrolls an academically ambitious, multicultural, and socioeconomically diverse student body. The university recruits, retains and supports a diverse faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and creativity. LMU's three campuses are rooted in the heart of Los Angeles, a global capital for arts and entertainment, innovation and technology, business and entrepreneurship.
LMU's Mission:
Loyola Marymount University offers rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to academically ambitious students committed to lives of meaning and purpose. LMU benefits from their location in Los Angeles, a dynamic city that brings into sharp focus the issues of our time and provides an ideal context for study, research, creative work, and active engagement. By intention and philosophy, LMU invites men and women diverse in talents, interests, and cultural backgrounds to enrich their educational community and advance their mission:
The encouragement of learning
The education of the whole person
The service of faith and the promotion of justice
The University is institutionally committed to Roman Catholicism and takes its fundamental inspiration from the combined heritage of the Jesuits, the Marymount Sisters, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. This Catholic identity and religious heritage distinguish LMU from other universities and provide touchstones for understanding our threefold mission.
The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts prepares students for successful lives of meaning and purpose with a transformative liberal arts education. BCLA is LMU’s oldest college and remains at the heart of an LMU with 22 major and 30 minor undergraduate programs in humanities, social science, and interdisciplinary fields, along with five graduate programs. A BCLA education instills the values of LMU's Jesuit and Marymount founders: ethical citizenship, critical inquiry, and a lifelong love of learning.
The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts embodies LMU’s mission of holistic education, fostering personal growth and self-discovery. All LMU undergraduates delve into the humanities and social sciences, exploring life's profound questions to deepen their understanding of themselves, others, and the world. BCLA's distinguished faculty are dedicated scholars and mentors who are committed to inclusion, respectful dialogue, and the advancement of a just society. BCLA equips students for meaningful lives and careers dedicated to the common good through our comprehensive curriculum and global and other experiential learning opportunities.
Leadership Spotlight
Richard Fox - Dean, LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA)
Richard Fox
Dean, LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA)
Richard Fox is the Dean of the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA), where he has been a professor of political science since 2007. He is a leading scholar on the study of political ambition, electoral behavior, and gender politics and is widely respected for his innovative teaching methods.
Fox’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, and he has authored or co-authored nine books, more than 25 peer-reviewed articles, and over 20 book chapters on U.S. electoral politics. His most recent book “American Politics: A Field Guide,” published in 2023, features provocative questions to engage students and helps them build the skills necessary for effective citizen engagement and political participation. He has also published op-eds in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.
As a political science professor, Fox is known for his engaging teaching style. His popular “Simulated Congress” course offers students an in-depth understanding of U.S. Congress through a six to seven week congressional simulation. Students assume the roles of members of Congress, write bills, fundraise, issue press releases, negotiate with the president, and navigate the pressure applied by lobbyists. This immersive experience allows students to understand the workings of Congress in a more interactive and experiential way.
In his previous leadership roles at LMU, Fox demonstrated a student-centered approach. As BCLA’s Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, he was integral in the implementation of a new university core curriculum, established the BCLA Advising Center, and transitioned the College to a four-unit curriculum. This shift allowed faculty to further integrate their research and teaching, cultivating an environment where students, faculty, and staff could thrive. His future plans include working with the faculty to introduce new interdisciplinary majors to BCLA, and fundraising for student fellowships and summer internships. He has also established a student advisory board to keep him informed about the student experience.
A native of Los Angeles, Fox earned his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and both his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara. Prior to his work at LMU, Fox taught political science for 13 years at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
Giving at LMU
Led by Senior Vice President for Advancement, Peter Wilch, Loyola Marymount University's Office of Advancement engages alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends. The impact of philanthropic support is critical to attracting exceptional students, strengthening academic programs, recruiting outstanding faculty, and increasing research opportunities.
Leadership Spotlight
Jeanie Kim - Vice President of Development
Jeanie Kim
Vice President of Development
Jeanie Kim joined University Advancement in 2024 and brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience at institutions including Princeton University, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Jeanie also served as director of literary programs at Lannan Foundation. In her current role, Kim is responsible for overseeing a team of development professionals who lead fundraising efforts for LMU’s various colleges and programs. Kim holds a bachelor of arts in English from UCLA.
The Opportunity: Director of Development, Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
The Director of Development directs and manages the identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of major individual, corporate, and foundation prospects in support of LMU’s Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA) fundraising priorities as a fully integrated member of LMU’s University Advancement team.
Embedded within BCLA, the ideal candidate will have robust experience working in a donor-centric environment with deans, university leadership and faculty. In partnership with BCLA and University Advancement leadership, the Director will create and implement a comprehensive philanthropic plan to productively cultivate relationships with and compel investment in the mission and work of BCLA from alumni, parents, friends, business, and civic leaders. The Director coordinates efforts in all areas that support major gift fundraising and is expected to personally solicit and close major gifts of $100,000 or more in support of funding priorities.
The Role and Responsibilities
Position Specific Responsibilities:
Design and implement a comprehensive development plan to increase philanthropic support for funding priorities established by the Dean of the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Focus on strategically engaging, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $100,000 or more. Identify and qualify new prospects, and build, develop and manage a portfolio of 100-125 major and principal gift prospects, with a goal of having 30-40 prospects in the solicitation phase of the donor cycle at any given time. Execute at least 200 meaningful engagements and present 20+ proposals per year, with an expectation of escalating philanthropic goals.
Advise the Dean and University Advancement leadership on all matters related to Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts activities. Foster a culture of philanthropy within BCLA, and advise, assist, and provide training and support for BCLA’s central leadership, administration, and staff regarding development initiatives.
Develop effective fundraising strategies in coordination and collaboration with other members of the development team, including Corporate and Foundation Relations, Directors of Development, Planned Giving, Prospect Management and Research, Annual Giving, and Advancement Information Services. Coordinate strategies for major gift solicitations with university leadership, faculty/staff, and volunteers. Actively involve the Dean, department heads, faculty, students, and other stakeholders in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation process as appropriate.
In cooperation with University Advancement leadership and with input from the Dean, establish annual qualitative and quantitative goals, objectives, and key accountabilities in order to increase donors and dollars raised for BCLA. Determine most effective means to report progress and provide assessment on a regular basis. Prepare and deliver annual written philanthropic plans.
Recruit volunteer leaders and cultivate philanthropic objectives for the College’s development board. Provide input and support in relation to major gift development for the board, and actively involve volunteer board members in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process as appropriate.
In collaboration with University Advancement leadership, forecast and manage the development budget assigned to this position.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet University priorities.
Loyola Marymount University Expectations
Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.
Preferred Qualifications:
Minimum five to seven years’ experience in development. Possess a track record that demonstrates solid fundraising results and success soliciting and closing major gifts. Experience should be in progressively responsible positions.
Demonstrated successful experience working with deans, college or unit leaders and boards comprised of prominent corporate and community volunteers and alumni.
Demonstrated ability to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects and personally ask and close gifts. Willingness to travel and work occasional weekend/evening hours.
Comfort working effectively with high-level donor prospects. Ability to effectively communicate the vision, values, and mission of Loyola Marymount University, align donor intent with University priorities.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues across multiple areas to bring projects to successful completion.
Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral) evidenced by background in preparing comprehensive reports and executive summaries incorporating complex, highly technical information.
Highly developed organizational and leadership skills.
Demonstrated computer competency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Experience working with Ellucian or other comparable fundraising systems.
Required Education:
Typically a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred. Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.
Seeking professionals with varied backgrounds, abilities, experiences, thoughts, and ideas.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
LMU’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state, and local law. LMU invites all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experiences, and beliefs to apply. Please read more about LMU’s commitments and efforts at (https://resources.lmu.edu/officeofinterculturalaffairs/).
Applications & Nominations
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
Contact Information
To explore this opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to:
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Beth Parsons specializes in the education and non-profit sectors, having held fundraising and leadership roles in prominent educational and social impact organizations for nearly 20 years. She partners with clients to develop search strategies on the basis of organizational needs and core values. Her extensive advancement network serves as a source of high-impact talent.
Loyola Marymount University - Director of Development, BCLA - Job Description (PDF Download)
