Senior Advisor, Operations, and Strategy

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities
The Senior Advisor, Operations, and Strategy is a per-diem, project-based assignment designed to provided experienced senior-level strategic and analytical support to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and members of the COO leadership team on selected institutional priorities. The assignment provides flexible, as needed capacity for discrete projects requiring significant institutional knowledge, cross-functional analysis, executive judgement, and coordination across multiple areas of the university. This role is not expected to assume ongoing responsibility for the day-to-day management or operation of University departments or functions. 

The initial assignment will focus on a comprehensive university space assessment, analysis, and evaluation intended to inform LMU's evolving space optimization and capital planning strategies. Future assignments may be identified based on institutional priorities and may include work within the university's capital planning ecosystem, operational excellence initiatives, organizational and administrative effectiveness, resource optimization, and other strategic priorities within the COO portfolio.

Initial Assignment: University Space Assessment

The Senior Advisor will lead a comprehensive assessment of LMU's utilization and allocation of physical space, working in collaboration with Facilities Management and Planning, academic leadership, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, and other university partners. Work is expected to include:

• Establishing an appropriate data framework and identifying authoritative institutional data sources;
• Reviewing LMU's inventory of owned and leased space and relevant space classifications and utilization data;
• Evaluating space utilization in relation to employee headcount, enrollment and academic program trends, classroom and learning-space usage, and other relevant institutional measures;
• Consulting with deans, senior administrators, and other stakeholders to understand current and anticipated space requirements;
• Reviewing previous studies, planning efforts, and available benchmarking or comparative information;
• Identifying opportunities for improved utilization, consolidation, reallocation, shared use, or other approaches to space optimization;
• Assessing the relationship between space needs and LMU's broader capital priorities and planning assumptions; and
• Developing findings, frameworks, recommendations, and presentation materials to inform executive leadership and, as appropriate, Board-level planning and decision-making.

Additional Strategic Assignments

As institutional needs arise, this role may be assigned additional discrete, time-limited analyses, assessments, or special projects at the direction of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Potential assignments may include projects related to:

• Capital planning and prioritization;
• Operational excellence and organizational effectiveness;
• Facilities and infrastructure strategy;
• Resource allocation and optimization;
• Cross-functional institutional processes and data;
• Development of decision frameworks, options, and recommendations for senior leadership; and
• Other strategic or operational initiatives within the COO portfolio requiring senior-level analysis, institutional perspective, or project leadership.

The Senior Advisor will generally work through existing university leaders and departments rather than assume ongoing operational responsibility for their functions. Assignments will emphasize assessment, analysis, consultation, recommendations, and implementation planning as appropriate.

Work Structure and Deliverables

This is a flexible, per-diem assignment, with work hours varying based on institutional needs, assigned projects, project scope, and agreed upon priorities.  There is no fixed or guaranteed schedule, and the volume of work may vary over the course of the assignment. The Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will determine the projects to be assigned, established anticipated timelines, priorities and deliverables for each assignment. 

For the initial space assessment, work is anticipated to proceed through phases that may include data collection and validation; stakeholder consultation; analysis and evaluation; and development of findings and recommendations. Initial findings and strategic framework deliverables are anticipated to be completed during the Fall 2026 semester.

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.

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.

#HERC# #HEJ#

Staff Per-Diem (Fixed Term) (Seasonal)

Salary range

$0.00 - $25.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

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. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

 

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or by phone at (310) 338-2723. Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources.

 

When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process.

 

LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.