The Interim Director of Campus Ministry provides strategic leadership for and directs the Department of Campus Ministry and advises the Senior Vice President for Mission and other campus leaders on creating a mission-centered, spiritually vibrant, and hospitable environment for all members of the LMU community, especially students. The Director reports to the Senior Vice President for Mission. This is a term position that ends on May 31, 2026. A uniquely qualified candidate has been identified for the position.
Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities
Provide strategic vision and leadership for Campus Ministry as the department seeks to make progress toward the goals articulated in the Division of Mission's unit-level plan: (1) enhance the integration of faith as a fundamental value of an LMU education; (2) act and lead for diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism; and (3) achieve greater implementation of the Ignatian way of proceeding in the Division of Mission as well as in wider institutional culture and practices. Promote Campus Ministry as a spiritual home for all LMU students to "belong, believe, and become" (Campus Ministry mission statement). Assess programs in light of the needs of the community and in response to shifting religious demographics. Develop a strategy for evangelization that proclaims and witnesses to a Catholic interpretation of Scripture within a religiously plural community that welcomes all faith traditions. Foster an inclusive and intentionally anti-racist culture in all polices, practices, and programs in the spirit of the university's commitment to a faith that does justice and LMU's Anti-Racism Project.
Lead, manage, motivate, and supervise a team of approximately 13 professional staff plus student workers and ministers engaged in a variety of ministries including: liturgical and sacramental life, spiritual direction, justice ministries, retreats, pilgrimages, Jewish Student Life and Muslim Student Life, and activities sponsored by the Interfaith Council. Oversee the use of and maintain facilities, including, in cooperation with the Rector of the LMU Jesuit Community, Sacred Heart Chapel and Leavey Chapel. Provide appropriate opportunities for mentorship of and professional development for campus ministers. Engage in continuous assessment of strategic priorities, implement and regularly review polices, manage the budget for Campus Ministry including several dedicated endowments, and conduct hiring and regular evaluation of staff.
Identify opportunities for engaging a broad range of students in the programs and activities of Campus Ministry, including students of all faith traditions, the religiously unaffiliated, the spiritual but not religious, and all persons who have been alienated, excluded, marginalized, or traumatized by religious institutions. Reimagine existing programs and develop new ones that celebrate the many cultural expressions of Catholicism, drawing on the traditions of Black, Latinx, Asian-Pacific, and Indigenous Catholics and reflecting the richness of the Church in Los Angeles and Southern California. Increase outreach to international students. Expand ministry to the LGBTQ community.
Advise the Senior Vice President for Mission on matters related to the promotion of the university's mission and identity among a wide range of stakeholder groups, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees. Serve on the Mission Management Team, the Catholic Mission and Identity Committee of the Board of Trustees, and other university committees. Partner with and support the Vice President on donor development and fundraising for Campus Ministry to expand existing programs and develop new ones. Serve as a resource for the entire university community in promoting LMU's mission, Catholic identity, and the charisms of LMU's three sponsoring religious congregations: the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange. Represent Campus Ministry and the Division of Mission at university events.
Develop an integrated multifaith department that leverages existing ministries and services for non-Catholic Christian, Jewish, and Muslim students; that provides hospitality and programming to students from a broad range of faith traditions; and that promotes religious literacy and interfaith dialogue, activity, and understanding across campus as essential knowledge and skills for global citizenship and responsible civic engagement. Articulate for the LMU community the connection between the Catholic identity of the university and a commitment to interfaith work and multifaith ministry, all under the heading of the service of faith and the promotion of justice.
Foster Campus Ministry's collaborative relationships with other departments within the Division of Ministry and throughout the university and with local, regional, and national partners (including local religious communities and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; other Jesuit, Marymount, and CSJ works in the city and region; and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities).
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 master's (M.A., M.Div., or other relevant degree) or doctoral (Ph.D., D.Min., Ed.D., or other relevant degree) in theology, ministry, or a related area.
- Minimum of five years of experience in pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, retreat planning, social justice work, liturgy, or other ministry for young adults in a university or other relevant setting.
- Experience managing a team and overseeing a complex budget.
- Ability to articulate the mission of Catholic higher education in a religiously plural setting.
- Knowledge of non-Christian faith traditions and experience participating in and/or leading interfaith and ecumenical programming.
- Experience working with diverse populations and building a team that reflects that diversity.
- Knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
- Knowledge of the charism(s) of the Society of Jesus, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and/or the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange.
- Knowledge of and experience with Ignatian Spiritualty and the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
- Exemplary written and oral communication skills including experience leading public prayer.
- The Director of Campus Ministry must be Catholic. Lay persons as well as professed religious are encouraged to apply.
