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Higher Ed Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Solutions Consultant

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$175K - $210K/yr

In higher ed, the cost of getting degree management wrong is measured in advisor capacity, audit accuracy, time-to-degree, and graduation rates. A generic product walk-through doesn't move a Provost ...

Lead value based conversations within technical product demonstrations, uncovering key prospect priorities for Higher Ed institutions and build value for Ellucian partnerships * Design, validate, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Higher Ed information

See California salary details

$41K

$110.7K

$166.8K

How much do higher ed jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for higher ed in California is $110,653.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,900.00 and $131,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is higher ed?

Higher Ed, short for Higher Education, refers to the stage of education that occurs at universities, colleges, and other institutions offering academic degrees or professional certifications beyond high school. It encompasses undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate studies in a variety of academic and professional fields. Higher Ed institutions prepare students for advanced careers, research opportunities, and personal development. The sector also includes administrative, faculty, and support roles that contribute to the functioning of these educational organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in higher education administration, and why are they important?

To thrive in higher education administration, you need a background in educational leadership, policy, or administration—often supported by a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), and compliance regulations is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments set top professionals apart. These skills ensure effective management of academic programs, support for students and faculty, and the successful operation of educational institutions.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in higher education administration?

Professionals in higher education administration often navigate challenges such as balancing the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and external regulations. They may also manage complex projects like accreditation, budget allocation, or curriculum updates, which require strong organizational and communication skills. Adapting to evolving technologies and shifting educational trends is another key aspect, as is fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment. Collaborative teamwork and continuous professional development are essential for success and advancement in this field.

What is the difference between Higher Ed vs Academic Advisor?

AspectHigher EdAcademic Advisor
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's or master's degree in education, counseling, or related fieldUsually a bachelor's degree; some roles prefer a master's in counseling or education
Work EnvironmentColleges, universities, educational institutionsColleges, universities, academic departments, student services
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, collegesEducational institutions, student support services
Common Search & ComparisonHigher Ed vs Academic Advisor

Higher Ed refers broadly to post-secondary education institutions, including faculty, administrators, and support staff. Academic Advisors are specific roles within Higher Ed, focusing on guiding students through their academic journey. While both roles operate within educational settings, Higher Ed encompasses a wide range of positions, whereas Academic Advisors specialize in student support and course planning.

What are the most commonly searched types of Higher Ed jobs in California?

The most popular types of Higher Ed jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Higher Ed jobs in California?

For Higher Ed jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Higher Ed jobs?

Cities in California with the most Higher Ed job openings:

Infographic showing various Higher Ed job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,653 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Account Executive, Higher Education

Otter.ai

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Location: Bay Area (Hybrid - 3 days/week in San Francisco office or Mountain View HQ)The opportunity

Are you ready to be part of our exciting journey of exponential growth? We are seeking a talented Mid-Market Account Executive to join our expanding Sales team at Otter.ai! In this role, you'll play a vital role in fueling our revenue engine with innovation and energy, driving the scaling of our business while maximizing value for our customers. You'll have the chance to collaborate with a dynamic team dedicated to empowering SMBs and Mid-Market customers to harness the power of Otter. This is an excellent opportunity to work alongside exceptional sales talent and our product-focused team.

Your impact
  • Own the full sales cycle, from prospecting to close, for Higher Ed accounts, spanning individual departments, colleges,
    and institution-wide deals.
  • Drive new business acquisition through outbound prospecting, inbound leads, conference/event follow-up, and
    channel/partner referrals specific to the Higher Ed vertical.
  • Build and manage relationships with a wide range of university stakeholders: CIOs/IT and Ed Tech leaders, Provosts
    and Deans' offices, disability/accessibility services, procurement officers, and faculty.
  • Navigate higher ed-specific procurement: RFPs, purchase orders, cooperative/consortium purchasing agreements,
    board and committee approvals, and academic-year budget cycles.
  • Customize product demonstrations that speak to Higher Ed use cases, including lecture capture, accessibility and
    accommodations (e.g., note-taking support for students with disabilities), advising and research meetings, and
    administrative/committeeworkflows.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, and Customer Success to shape Higher Ed-specific positioning,
    packaging, and feedback loops.
  • Maintain accurate forecasting and pipeline hygiene in Salesforce, and deliver reliable visibility into Higher Ed segment
    performance.
  • Represent Otter at higher education conferences (e.g., EDUCAUSE), webinars, and trade events to build pipeline and
    brand presence in the sector.
  • Serve as the voice of the Higher Ed customer internally, championing the needs of colleges and universities in product
    and go-to-market discussions
We're looking for someone who
  • 2+ years of closing experience in a high-velocity SaaS sales environment; prior experience selling into Higher Ed or
    broader public sector/EDU markets strongly preferred.
  • A proven track record of managing the full sales cycle and negotiating contracts with colleges and universities,
    including navigating RFPs and multi-stakeholder buying committees.
  • Familiarity with higher ed procurement processes, academic budget calendars, and funding sources (e.g., institutional
    budgets, grants, consortium/cooperative purchasing vehicles).
  • Experience working with IT/security, legal, and finance/procurement teams to close complex deals.
  • Proficiency with Salesforce, Outreach.io, Sales Navigator, or comparable sales engagement tools.
  • Understanding of accessibility and compliance considerations relevant to higher education (e.g., FERPA,
    ADA/accessibility requirements) is a plus.
  • A go-getter attitude and comfort building repeatable processes to support a high volume of transactions.
  • Excellent team orientation and a track record of cross-functional collaboration.
  • Impeccable customer skills, including communication, empathy, and integrity, especially when working with mission-
    driven, budget-conscious institutions.
  • Adaptability, flexibility, and resilience in an ever-changing environment.
    Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Education, or a related field preferred.
  • Previous experience at a tech start-up is a plus.

About Otter.ai 

We are in the business of shaping the future of work. 
 
Our mission is to make conversations more valuable.With over 1B meetings transcribed, Otter.ai is the world's leading tool for meeting transcription, summarization, and collaboration. Using artificial intelligence, Otter generates real-time automated meeting notes, summaries, and other insights from in-person and virtual meetings - turning meetings into accessible, collaborative, and actionable data that can be shared across teams and organizations. The company is backed by early investors in Google, DeepMind, Zoom, and Tesla.

Otter.ai is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace.  We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants throughout the hiring process.  

Accessibility & Accommodations

Otter.ai is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our hiring process.  If you need assistance or an accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact hr@otter.ai at least 3 business days before your interview.

*Otter.ai does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies without a written agreement in place for permanent placements. Any resume or other candidate information submitted outside of established candidate submission guidelines (including through our website or via email to any Otter.ai employee) and without a written agreement otherwise will be deemed to be our sole property, and no fee will be paid should we hire the candidate.

Salary range 

Salary Range: $180,000 to $200,000 USD per year **potential inclusive of commission**


This salary range represents the low and high end of the estimated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for the role is dependent on several factors. Our base salary is just one component of a comprehensive total rewards package.  

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