Have you noticed an uptick in edtech job openings recently?

It’s not your imagination—job listings are on the rise. At HireEducation, we’ve tracked the data, and here’s what we’re seeing:

• We opened twice as many jobs in October compared to the monthly average of the months preceding.
• There are three times as many job openings this October compared to October 2023.
• This is the biggest surge in openings since September 2022.

In a time when many expected a contraction in the job market—especially with K12 ESSER funding winding down and a marked political change on the horizon—we felt like this is worth unpacking.

Where is the surge coming from?

This one is easy: K12 Account Executives.

This is the primary role we are searching for at this time. We are currently recruiting sales reps for 8 different clients and most of these involve selling into K12 schools.

This role is a speciality of ours since selling into schools requires niche skills and the sales strategy ranges from company to company, product to product–if you want to be successful. A good sales person is hard to find, but the right match for a specific company in a specific region? That’s a unicorn!

Why Now?

This is where things get more nuanced. Here’s what we’re seeing with our current clients:

1. A Big Focus on Literacy

In recent years, the number of states passing legislation around the science of reading has grown exponentially. This push to get students reading at grade level has unlocked new funding.

As schools and districts seek curricula and platforms to address student reading gaps, companies are ramping up their teams (especially sales teams) to meet this demand. Literacy isn’t just a trend—it’s a priority, and companies are hiring top-tier talent to seize the opportunity.

2. Scaling for Growth

For some companies, the need to hire boils down to growth.

One organization recently hit a pivotal revenue milestone. Recognizing that the founder could no longer handle everything alone, they hired a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and began building a sales team to sustain and accelerate their growth.

If you think your team is ready to grow, let’s talk!

3. There’s a Big Demand for Innovative Companies

The demand for innovation in edtech is higher than ever.

For example, one of our clients, MagicSchool, is tackling teacher burnout by using AI. Since its 2023 launch, the platform has attracted over 3 million users. This exponential growth has required MagicSchool to rapidly expand its team to keep up with demand.

Companies that directly address teachers’ pain points—such as burnout, retention, or learning gaps—are finding themselves in similar situations, where fast hiring is critical to success.

4. Preparation for Purchasing Season

October is circled on a lot of hiring teams’ calendars as companies prepare for the busy purchasing season for schools and districts.

This is the time when companies finalize budgets, set revenue goals, and build sales teams to hit the ground running in the upcoming purchasing season. Although it’s mid-year for the K12 buying cycle, the alignment of budgeting and growth planning makes October an ideal time to ramp up hiring.

What Does This Mean for Job Seekers?

For job seekers, this surge is full of opportunity.

Companies aren’t just hiring to fill roles—they’re building teams equipped to drive aggressive growth and capitalize on momentum.

If you’re looking to transition into edtech or take the next step in your career, now is the perfect time to explore your options.

What Does This Mean for Hiring Managers?

For hiring managers, this surge brings both opportunities and challenges. With so many companies vying for top talent, competition is fierce.

Here are five tips to stay ahead:

1. Move Quickly: In this competitive market, delays with interviews or offers could mean losing top talent.
2. Show Your Value: Highlight what sets your company apart—culture, growth potential, etc.
3. Plan for Long-Term Success: Ensure new hires have the support and systems they need to thrive and grow with your company.
4. Always Follow Trends: Stay aware of funding shifts, policy changes, and market demand. Be ready to adapt.
5. Partner with Experts: Working with a recruiting expert like HireEducation can help you widen your candidate pool and alleviate the burden of the hiring process. Our expertise in sales and edtech means we understand what candidates and companies are looking for—and we can help you find the right fit faster. Let’s chat if you need a hand.