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.
Extraordinary educators. Fearless trailblazers. LMU's School of Education cultivates teachers, leaders, and mental health professionals who ignite changes in schools and communities to foster a more just and inclusive world for all.
In alignment with their Jesuit and Marymount heritage and the mission of Loyola Marymount University, LMU School of Education promotes the leadership, lifelong learning, and wellness of students, families, and communities across a broad array of settings, experiences, and backgrounds. Together LMU's School of Education advances equity-minded, anti-racist, ethical, and research-informed preparation and practices for education and mental health professionals; they promote rigorous, relevant, and community-engaged interdisciplinary research; and they foster authentic, collaborative partnerships linking research, preparation, and practice.
Leadership Spotlight
Estela Zarate, Ph.D. - Dean, LMU School of Education
Estela Zarate, Ph.D.
Dean, LMU School of Education
Estela Zarate, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leader in higher education, and her commitment to student success, anti-racism, equity, and civic engagement embodies LMU's mission and vision for the future.
Dean Zarate is currently a Senior Faculty Fellow at the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP). She has served in leadership roles that include vice provost of Academic Affairs and coordinator of the Master of Science in education administration and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) programs for six years in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Throughout her career, Dean Zarate has led strategic planning and implementation, program redesign, partnership cultivation, external funding efforts, and faculty and staff recruitment efforts at multiple institutions.
Dean Zarate’s scholarship addresses the trajectory of immigrant students in U.S. schools, including the connections between schools and families and the experiences of multilingual learners. She co-edited a volume on educational interventions for migrant students and has written about and developed professional learning opportunities to improve teaching for first-generation college students.
In her current role at UTEP, Dean Zarate is participating in national conversations about policy and research strategies to transform higher education to serve today’s students. She is leading strategic planning for the institute, developing a national network of higher education scholars for future collaborations and partnerships, and contributing to research on increasing participation in STEM careers.
Dean Zarate earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematical economic analysis from Rice University and a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. With nearly two decades of experience as a faculty member at CSUF, UC Irvine, and other institutions of higher education, her pedagogical expertise enables her to lead with vision, empathy, and a commitment to academic excellence.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dean Zarate takes full advantage of living in L.A. by hiking with her dog, especially on clear mornings after a rainy night. Sometimes the beach summons her, where she enjoys biking with her family. She also likes traveling, exploring new places, and visiting old friends.
Giving at LMU
Lead 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
Peter Wilch - Senior Vice President, University Advancement
Peter Wilch
Senior Vice President, University Advancement
Peter Wilch became senior vice president for university advancement at Loyola Marymount University in 2021. He provides leadership for advancement programs and initiatives across the university and is responsible for planning and directing LMU’s largest comprehensive fundraising campaign, currently in the quiet phase. Wilch works with university and school, college, and unit leadership to identify campaign priorities and define fundraising strategies that support LMU’s mission of encouraging learning, educating the whole person, and facilitating a service of faith and the promotion of justice. Reporting directly to the president, he manages the Campaign Committee and partners with the Board of Trustees and Board of Regents on fundraising and engagement initiatives.
Wilch served as vice president for development at the University of San Francisco from 2012 to 2021. In this role he led USF’s development operation, managed a team of 70 development officers and staff, and guided the university to a two-fold increase in fundraising revenue during his tenure through the Changing the World from Here campaign. Prior to joining USF, he served as the vice president for alumni and college advancement at Cornell College in Iowa where he designed, led, and exceeded the target for the Extraordinary Opportunities comprehensive campaign, the largest campaign in the institution’s history. He has also held leadership development roles at the University of Iowa Foundation and at Grinnell College.
Additionally, Wilch has held leadership positions in several professional and community organizations, notably the boards of Catholic Charities of San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties, where he chairs the Programs Committee and serves on the Executive Committee, and the Jesuit Advancement Administrators organization where he is the past national chair. He is an alumnus of the AJCU Ignatian Colleagues Program.
Born and raised in Iowa, Wilch earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and philosophy from Cornell College in Iowa. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in philanthropy from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. He has four Jesuit-educated children ranging in age from 28 to 20.
The Opportunity: Director of Development, School of Education
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 School of Education’s (SOE) fundraising priorities as a fully integrated member of LMU’s University Advancement team.
Embedded within SOE, the ideal candidate will have robust experience working in a donor-centric environment with deans, university leadership and faculty. In partnership with SOE and University Advancement leadership, will create and implement a comprehensive philanthropic plan to productively cultivate relationships with and compel investment in the mission and work of SOE 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. This position also provides support to the School of Education Board of Visitors.
LMU believes that diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand, therefore the school seeks to hire individuals who have a significant potential for cultural contribution in the workplace and a commitment to working effectively with colleagues and donors from diverse backgrounds.
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 School of Education. Focus on strategically engaging, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $100,000 or more and stewarding donors. Identify and qualify new prospects, capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. 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. (50%)
Advise the Dean and University Advancement leadership on all matters related to School of Education development activities. Foster a culture of philanthropy within the School of Education, and advise, assist, and provide training for SOE’s central leadership, administration, and staff regarding development initiatives. (20%)
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. (10%)
In cooperation with University Advancement leadership and with input from the Dean of the School of Education, establish annual qualitative and quantitative goals, objectives, and key accountabilities in order to increase donors and dollars raised for the School of Education. Determine the most effective means to report progress and provide assessment on a regular basis. Prepare and deliver annual written philanthropic plans. (5%)
Assist in the recruitment and development of volunteers for the School of Education Board of Visitors. Recommend policies and procedures for the rotation, nomination, and selection of new board members and honorees. Provide input and support in relation to major gift development for the Board of Visitors. Actively involve volunteer board members in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process as appropriate. (5%)
Forecast and manage the development budget assigned to this position. (5%)
Perform other duties as assigned to meet University priorities. (5%)
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.
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, School of Education - Job Description (PDF Download)
