Founded in 1911, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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.
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.
LMU's Day of Giving is an annual, one-day online fundraising event hosted to inspire alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends to donate to any area or areas of LMU that are meaningful to them. And -- by leveraging the many matches and challenges that will be made available throughout the day -- increase the size of their gift and their impact. LMU's 2025 Day of Giving resulted in over $1.85 million raised through 2,683 generous donors.
Leadership Spotlight
Emily VanderLinden - Director, Annual Giving
Emily VanderLinden
Director, Annual Giving
Emily VanderLinden joined University Advancement in 2024 as director of annual giving. She focuses on cultivating annual support from alumni, parents, and friends through a variety of channels including direct mail, email, and digital platforms.
VanderLinden brings over 6 years of experience in higher education philanthropy. Before coming to LMU, she developed and managed a comprehensive annual giving plan at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, leading to two consecutive record-breaking years for the St. Norbert Fund. She also served as an advancement officer at Marquette University in Milwaukee, introducing the department’s first texting initiative. VanderLinden earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. In her free time, she enjoys watching as many movies as possible, trying new cuisines, and spending time with her cat, Millie.
The Opportunity: Assistant Director of Digital Engagement
Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director of Digital Engagement develops and implements digital engagement strategies to promote giving opportunities across a variety of communication channels. The Assistant Director focuses on online giving, crowdfunding, and digital marketing campaigns to enhance the university’s annual giving efforts. Central to this role is fostering strong relationships with school and unit gift officers as well as campus partners, to ensure that all areas of the university have access to digital fundraising opportunities.
LMU believes that diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand, therefore seeking 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.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
Position Specific Responsibilities:
In partnership with the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, develop an annual plan for 20+ digital giving campaigns focused on special initiatives for LMU’s seven schools, as well as Athletics, and a wide range of constituent groups — from student organizations to campus programs and initiatives.
Build and nurture continuous partnerships with LMU schools and units, as well as their assigned gift officers. Serve as the single point of contact for campus constituents looking to conduct a crowdfunding campaign. Understand the needs and objectives of campus partners and offer solutions that align with their goals. Educate groups on best approaches to peer-to-peer fundraising and assist them with utilizing LMU’s online giving and crowdfunding platforms.
Manage the entire lifecycle of each digital campaign: from engaging the campus stakeholders and gathering key information to partnering with Marketing & Communications team to develop the communication plan, email copy, web and social media content, and visual assets. Work closely with Sr. Data Analyst to build audience and segmentation strategies. Monitor progress to ensure deadlines are met for each campaign.
Collaborate with Alumni and Family Engagement team on developing a social media plan, which highlights philanthropic impact of LMU’s alumni and parents, as well as promotes giving opportunities throughout the year. Work closely with Marketing & Communications to implement this plan, ensuring that these messages are reaching target audiences across multiple platforms.
Track digital engagement metrics and identify trends to inform ongoing strategies.
Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field or commensurate experience.
Minimum 3 years of experience in digital fundraising, marketing, or a related area, with a proven track record of successful online campaigns.
Strong understanding of digital marketing principles and experience with email marketing software (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud) as well as with common social media and online giving platforms.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Analytical skills to interpret data and make informed decisions.
Detail-oriented, process driven, able to set and meet deadlines, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to motivate others to accomplish objectives and build consensus.
Demonstrated track record of contributing to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.
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.
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 - Assistant Director of Digital Engagement - Job Description (PDF Download)
