Advisory CIO Jobs UK
Advisory IT Leadership

Advisory CIO Jobs UK

Find advisory CIO and advisory IT Director roles across the UK. Premium advisory IT leadership positions with day rates from £650-£950.

1+
Advisory CIO Roles
£800
Avg Day Rate
2
Remote/Hybrid
Updated 4 February 2026
Last Updated
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Advisory CIO & IT Director Jobs UK

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Advisory CIO Rates

Advisory CIO Day Rate Calculator

Fractional CMO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

£900
£600Avg: £900£1500
2.5 days
1 day5 days
2 clients
14
Weekly
£4,500
Monthly
£19,485
Annual
£216,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CMO UK average day rate: £900.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

The UK Advisory CIO Market in 2026

The advisory CIO market in the UK is growing as organisations seek strategic IT leadership without full-time commitments. According to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, demand for advisory IT roles has increased as companies navigate digital transformation and IT optimisation.

When Companies Need Advisory CIOs

  • IT strategy — Developing IT roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
  • Digital transformation — Guiding cloud migration and modernisation programmes.
  • Board-level oversight — Providing independent IT perspective to boards.
  • Vendor management — Assessing and optimising technology vendor relationships.
  • IT governance — Establishing IT policies, standards, and controls.
  • Team development — Mentoring IT leaders and building capability.

Related Resources

Authority Resources

  • BCS — The Chartered Institute for IT
  • ISACA — IT governance and assurance
  • Axelos — ITIL and service management
  • IPSE — Association of Independent Professionals

IR35 Calculator for Advisory CIOs

UK Tax Calculator

IR35 Take-Home Pay Calculator

See how IR35 status affects your earnings as a fractional executive

£800
4 days
48 weeks
Gross Annual: £153,600

Inside IR35

Umbrella company or deemed employment

Gross Revenue
£153,600
Employer's NI
-£5,962
Income Tax
-£43,616
Employee NI
-£4,786
Take-Home Pay
£98,036

Outside IR35

Limited company - salary + dividends

Company Revenue
£153,600
Corporation Tax
-£36,578
Dividend Tax
-£27,789
Take-Home Pay
£86,233
Being Outside IR35 Saves You
-£11,803
per year (-12.0% more)
BetaEstimates only. Consult a tax accountant. gov.uk/IR35
FAQ

Common Questions About Advisory CIO Jobs UK

An advisory CIO is a senior IT professional who provides strategic IT leadership guidance on a consultative basis. Unlike interim CIOs who take on full operational responsibility, advisory CIOs offer high-level counsel on specific challenges such as IT strategy, digital transformation, vendor management, or IT governance. They typically work fewer hours but bring deep expertise to critical IT decisions.
Advisory CIO day rates in the UK typically range from £650-£950 per day, depending on experience, sector expertise, and complexity of the engagement. Specialist areas like ERP implementation oversight or cloud transformation can command rates of £950-£1,200/day. Advisory roles often involve fewer days per month than interim roles, making them cost-effective for specific strategic needs.
Advisory CIO engagements are typically structured around specific deliverables or time allocations (e.g., 2-4 days per month). The advisory CIO might review IT strategy, attend board meetings, mentor IT leaders, assess technology vendors, or provide guidance on digital transformation. Engagements can be ongoing retainers or project-based.
Advisory CIOs focus on internal IT operations, infrastructure, and business systems, while advisory CTOs focus on technology product development and engineering. CIOs typically support the business with technology; CTOs build technology as the product. Many organisations need both perspectives at different stages.
Most advisory CIOs have 15+ years of IT experience including prior CIO, IT Director, or VP IT roles. Essential qualifications include experience with IT strategy, enterprise architecture (TOGAF), service management (ITIL), and board-level communication. Many have sector-specific expertise in financial services, healthcare, or public sector.
The highest demand for advisory CIOs comes from: mid-market companies undergoing digital transformation, PE-backed companies optimising IT operations, public sector organisations modernising systems, and organisations implementing major ERP or cloud programmes.
Advisory CIO roles often fall outside IR35 due to their consultative nature, lack of day-to-day operational control, and project-based scope. However, each engagement must be assessed individually. Key factors include: no substitution restrictions, working for multiple clients, providing genuine advice rather than filling a role. Always obtain a status determination statement (SDS).
Advisory CIO hiring focuses on expertise fit and chemistry. The process typically includes: initial discussion with CEO/board about IT challenges, assessment of relevant experience and approach, discussion of working relationship dynamics, and agreement on scope and deliverables. Decisions are often made within 2-3 weeks.
Yes, advisory CIO relationships often expand. Many advisory engagements lead to: increased scope (from advisory to fractional), board positions (IT governance), and referrals. The advisory model is excellent for building a portfolio of IT leadership relationships.
Focus on: IT transformations delivered, cost optimisation achievements, vendor management experience, board-level communication skills, and sector expertise. Highlight your advisory approach and how you complement existing teams rather than replacing them.
Meet the Expert

Written by a Practicing Fractional Executive

Dan Keegan - Fractional Executive Expert with 15+ years experience in GTM, strategy, and executive leadership

Dan Keegan

Founder & Fractional GTM Expert

With over 15 years of experience in executive leadership, go-to-market strategy, and business development, Dan brings real-world fractional expertise to help professionals navigate the executive job market.

Dan founded Fractional Quest after working as a fractional executive himself, understanding firsthand the challenges of finding quality opportunities and the value fractional leaders bring to growing businesses.

15+ Years Executive ExperienceFractional GTMStrategy & Growth

Prior executive experience includes

SONY
Sony
O
Orange
H3G
Hutchison

Current fractional client

1U
OneUp Productions
1U

OneUp Productions

Gaming & Esports Production

Fractional GTM Lead
3
New Markets Entered
GTM
Strategy Delivered
2-3
Days Per Week

The Challenge

OneUp Productions needed to expand into new international markets but lacked the in-house expertise for go-to-market strategy. They needed senior GTM leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire.

Our Approach

Engaged as Fractional GTM Lead to develop and execute market expansion strategy, working 2-3 days per week alongside the existing leadership team.

Cost Effective

Senior GTM expertise at a fraction of full-time hire cost

Immediate Impact

Hit the ground running with proven playbooks

Flexible Scale

Adjusted involvement as needs evolved

Fractional GTMMarket ExpansionGaming IndustryInternational Growth