Director for Community Relations

Summary The Director of Community Relations develops and leads Loyola Marymount University’s strategy for cultivating, strengthening, and stewarding relationships with the communities surrounding the university’s campuses. The Director builds trust with neighbors, neighborhood organizations, community leaders, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and relevant public-sector stakeholders to advance LMU’s institutional priorities and reinforce the university’s reputation as a responsible neighbor, trusted partner, and community resource. Reporting to the Vice President for External Relations & Partnerships, the Director works closely with colleagues across Community Relations, Government Affairs, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Marketing and Communications, Facilities, Campus Safety, Student Affairs, and other university units. The Director ensures that community engagement is coordinated, responsive, measurable, and aligned with LMU’s mission, strategic priorities, institutional positions, and long-term interests. The Director is responsible for establishing performance goals, tracking key performance indicators, and regularly reporting progress, outcomes, and areas requiring attention. The position requires exceptional judgment, political and organizational awareness, diplomacy, responsiveness, and the ability to represent the university effectively in complex or sensitive settings. The Director must distinguish clearly between institutional responsibilities and personal civic or political activities and proactively identify and appropriately manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities Develop and implement a comprehensive community relations strategy and annual operating plan aligned with LMU’s institutional priorities, External Relations & Partnerships objectives, and broader public affairs strategy. Establish clear goals, timelines, stakeholder plans, and measures of success. Cultivate and steward productive relationships with neighborhood residents, neighborhood associations, community-based organizations, local businesses, nonprofit institutions, educational institutions, and civic leaders. Build relationships that strengthen trust in LMU and advance shared community priorities. Serve as a primary university liaison to neighborhood councils, community organizations, relevant City of Los Angeles offices and agencies, and other local stakeholders, in coordination with the Vice President and Government Affairs team. Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder map, community engagement calendar, contact history, and relationship-management system. Document commitments, interactions, concerns, follow-up items, and outcomes to ensure institutional continuity and accountability. Monitor neighborhood and community developments that could affect LMU’s operations, reputation, master planning, construction, permitting, student life, or long-term institutional interests. Provide timely written and verbal updates, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and recommend appropriate courses of action. Represent LMU at community meetings, neighborhood council meetings, public hearings, civic events, and other external forums. Ensure that all university positions and commitments communicated externally have been appropriately coordinated and authorized. In partnership with Government Affairs, maintain effective relationships with relevant public officials and staff. Coordinate in advance on outreach involving elected officials, candidates, campaigns, politically sensitive matters, or issues with potential legislative, regulatory, reputational, or institutional implications. Chair and manage LMU’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, including developing annual goals, recruiting and stewarding members, preparing agendas and briefing materials, facilitating meetings, documenting decisions and commitments, and ensuring timely