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.
Scientists and engineers are creative problem solvers for some of the most challenging needs facing society.
The Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering educates principled leaders. As new technologies and scientific breakthroughs emerge, LMU introduces curricular offerings that equip future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers with the integrated and cross-disciplinary skills they need to succeed in the global marketplace.
To learn more about the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, click here.
Leadership Spotlight
Tina Choe - Dean, Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Tina Choe, Ph.D.
Dean, Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Tina Choe, Ph.D., is dean of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University. As a champion of student success, she has dedicated her professional career to developing, supporting, and leading programs and initiatives that advance inclusive excellence in STEM education. Prior to joining the faculty at LMU, she was the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Fellow at Occidental College and a research chemist at Dow Chemical USA.
Dean Choe earned her bachelor and doctoral degrees in chemistry from UCLA. Her research focused on the synthesis of a class of glycosidase inhibitors that have shown to possess important biological activities. She synthesized a natural product called cyclophellitol from readily available glucopyranoside. Cyclophellitol displayed inhibitory activity against a key enzyme in Gaucher’s disease. She also developed a novel synthetic methodology to prepare modified carbohydrate molecules that serve as templates for the synthesis of complex organic compounds.
As a Camille and Henry Dreyfus Fellow at Occidental College, she conducted research on the enantioselective hydrolyses with electric eel acetylcholinesterase to synthesize chiral molecules that are essential in developing chiral drugs. Dean Choe has also worked on the scholarship of teaching to improve science education. Her research has been supported by a number of different agencies including the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, the American Chemical Society and the National Science Foundation.
Dean Choe is committed to undergraduate research. She mentored many undergraduate students in her own lab and has provided leadership to develop new programs and resources to expand research opportunities for students. In recognition of her dedication to teaching, Dean Choe received the Loyola Marymount University Fritz B. Burns Distinguished Teaching Award.
Dean Choe’s passion extends beyond academic excellence. In addition to providing academic leadership at the departmental, college, and university level, she served as chair of the Life Sciences building project at LMU. Dean Choe provided leadership from concept to completion of the facility that supports innovation and advancement in science education and research. The design and function of this building has garnered national recognition and ranks as one of the best science facilities in the country.
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: Senior Director of Development, Seaver College of Science and Engineering
Serving as a senior development officer for the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, the Senior Director of Development is charged with creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan to engage and solicit alumni, parents, friends, community members, business and civic leaders to achieve the development goals for the College. The Senior Director of Development is personally responsible for soliciting and closing major and principal gifts of $100,000 or more. As a University Advancement content expert on the College, this position is responsible for educating and collaborating with all University Advancement development colleagues regarding funding opportunities within the College.
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:
In partnership with UA leadership, design and implement a comprehensive development plan to increase philanthropic support for funding priorities established by the Dean. Focus on strategically identifying, engaging, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting major and principal gifts of $100,000 or more, and stewarding major- and principal-level donors to Seaver College of Science and Engineering. Achieve annual and campaign development goals. In collaboration with Prospect Management and Research, 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. Annually, execute at least 150 face-to-face visits and present 20+ proposals, with an expectation of escalating philanthropic goals.
Develop effective fundraising strategies in coordination and collaboration with the Dean and other members of the University Advancement team. Collaborate with all University Advancement partners including other centralized and unit-based development officers, Annual Giving & Annual Leadership Giving, Parent Giving, Principal Gifts, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Gift Planning, Advancement Information Services, and Special Events to achieve annual and campaign development goals. Strategically coordinate strategies for major and principal gift solicitations with University Advancement partners. Actively involve the Dean, department heads, faculty, and key volunteers in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation process as appropriate.
Work collaboratively with members of the Dean’s staff and University Advancement team who provide support to the College’s development efforts in the areas of communications, partnerships, outreach, and scholarship selection.
In partnership with University Advancement leadership, establish annual qualitative and quantitative goals, objectives, and key accountabilities in order to increase donors and dollars raised for the College. Prepare and deliver annual written plans.
Assist with the recruitment and management of the College’s volunteer board, as it relates to development efforts. Recommend policies and procedures for the rotation, nomination, and selection of new board members and honorees.
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.
Requisite Qualifications:
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.
Minimum seven years’ experience in development or a related field, preferably in higher education. A track record that demonstrates solid fundraising results and demonstrated success soliciting and closing major gifts. This includes the ability to plan, organize and implement fundraising activities effectively, as well as participate in high-level individual, corporate, and/or foundation solicitations. Experience in promoting and coordinating the involvement of volunteers. Experience should be in progressively responsible positions.
Demonstrated ability to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects and personally ask and close gifts. Willingness to travel and work occasional weekend/evening hours. Deal effectively and comfortably with high-level donor prospects. A high energy, goal-oriented worker who is well organized and personable. Utilize a creative approach to fundraising projects. Ability to effectively communicate the vision, values and mission of Loyola Marymount University, while capturing the interest of the prospect.
Demonstrated successful experience working with boards comprising prominent corporate and community volunteers and alumni.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues across multiple areas (i.e., academics, communications, business and finance, administration, government and community relations, external partnerships) to bring projects to completion successfully.
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 and preferably have knowledge of Advance or other comparable fundraising systems.
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 - Senior Director of Development, Seaver College of Science and Engineering - Job Description (PDF Download)
