Top 10 Higher Ed Decision Makers Ed-Tech Companies Should Be Reaching Out To

Ed-tech companies are playing a pivotal role in the transformation of higher education.

As universities embrace technology to enhance learning, streamline operations, and drive innovation, identifying and reaching out to the right decision-makers is crucial for any ed-tech company seeking to engage with institutions.

Higher education organizations are large, with numerous departments, each managing specific needs, from student services to technology and facilities.

For ed-tech companies, understanding who has the decision-making power and building relationships with them is key to successfully implementing and integrating their products.

In this blog, Higher Education Publications will discuss the top 10 higher education decision-makers that ed-tech companies should target to maximize their outreach efforts.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The Chief Information Officer is one of the most critical decision-makers for ed-tech companies to target. The CIO oversees the institution’s IT infrastructure, including adopting new technologies, digital platforms, and learning management systems (LMS).

Suppose your company offers campus-wide technology products or services like software solutions, data analytics tools, or cybersecurity products. In that case, the CIO will be the primary gatekeeper for evaluating and implementing these innovations.

Chief Academic Officer (CAO)/Provost

The Chief Academic Officer or Provost is responsible for overseeing the academic side of the institution, ensuring that faculty, curriculum, and educational policies align with institutional goals.

Ed-tech companies offering learning platforms, online courses, or digital classroom solutions should contact the CAO. The CAO plays a key role in evaluating tools that enhance teaching, learning, and academic collaboration and is integral to deciding what tools and systems are adopted for academic purposes.

Director of Teaching and Learning

The Director of Teaching and Learning oversees initiatives directly impacting education delivery at the institution. This individual plays a vital role in selecting technologies that enhance the student learning experience, such as learning management systems, digital textbooks, and virtual labs.

For ed-tech companies offering teaching tools, adaptive learning platforms, or gamification solutions, this is a key contact for showcasing how your technology can improve educational outcomes.

Director of Educational Technology

The Director of Educational Technology is often responsible for implementing and managing technology solutions for the classroom, including selecting and integrating ed-tech products. This decision-maker bridges IT and academic departments, ensuring that technology effectively supports teaching and learning.

If your company offers tools like online collaboration platforms, virtual classroom tools, or content delivery systems, this individual is essential for driving adoption across campus.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The Chief Financial Officer manages the institution’s finances and budget. Although not directly involved in implementing academic technologies, the CFO is crucial in financial decisions regarding technology purchases and investments.

Ed-tech companies offering software (SaaS) solutions, subscription-based products, or hardware services should connect with the CFO to align their pricing models with institutional budgetary constraints.

Director of IT Infrastructure

The Director of IT Infrastructure oversees the physical and virtual networks that support a university’s technology systems, such as servers, cloud storage, and networking solutions.

They are key decision-makers for ed-tech products requiring infrastructure support or integration, such as cloud-based services, virtual labs, or classroom hardware like smartboards and projectors. Reaching out to this person is essential for understanding how your product can fit within the university’s existing technological ecosystem.

Director of Student Services

The Director of Student Services manages various student support services, including counseling, health services, career development, and academic advising. Ed-tech companies offering student success software, career readiness platforms, or mental health support solutions should target this individual, as they are responsible for selecting technology tools that support student engagement, retention, and well-being.

Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management

The Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management is responsible for managing student recruitment, admissions, and enrollment. This person is a key contact for ed-tech companies offering software that improves recruitment marketing, student relationship management (CRM), or application processing.

Building a relationship with the Director of Admissions can lead to opportunities for implementing technology solutions that streamline student intake and retention efforts.

Director of Research and Innovation

Ed-tech companies that specialize in research tools, digital labs, or academic innovation are likely to target the director of research and innovation. This role oversees the university’s research strategy, funding, and collaboration.

These administrators will likely be interested in tools that enhance research collaboration, facilitate data collection and analysis, or support innovation within academic projects. Understanding the university’s research priorities will help tailor your outreach to meet these needs.

Campus Facilities Manager

The Campus Facilities Manager oversees the physical campus infrastructure, including classroom technology, meeting spaces, and residence halls. Ed-tech companies that provide hardware such as smartboards, interactive displays, or classroom management systems should engage with this individual. They are vital in purchasing and implementing technology solutions that enhance classroom environments and campus operations.

How a University Administrator Database Can Help

Connecting with the right decision-makers in higher education can be difficult without access to accurate, up-to-date contact information. This is where a comprehensive university administrator database becomes indispensable.

With a reliable, continuously updated database, ed-tech companies can quickly identify and obtain the contact details of key administrators across various departments. The HigherEd Direct database enables you to filter contacts by their specific roles and departments, ensuring that your outreach is precisely targeted to the right decision-makers.

Whether you want to engage with IT professionals, academic leaders, or student services administrators, a robust university administrator database like HigherEd Direct provides the critical data needed to reach the appropriate individuals and institutions.