What a Fractional Chief of Staff Does
The chief of staff role varies significantly by company, but fractional chiefs of staff typically focus on high-impact areas that directly support the CEO's effectiveness:
Strategic Initiatives
- Lead cross-functional projects
- Drive OKR/goal-setting process
- Execute strategic priorities
- Manage special projects
Operational Coordination
- Align leadership team
- Resolve cross-team blockers
- Improve internal processes
- Drive meeting effectiveness
Board & Investor
- Prepare board materials
- Coordinate investor updates
- Track commitments and follow-ups
- Support fundraising process
CEO Support
- Serve as sounding board
- Handle overflow priorities
- Prepare for key meetings
- Protect CEO's time
When to Hire a Fractional Chief of Staff
CEO Bandwidth Crisis
The CEO is stretched too thin, spending time on operational tasks instead of strategy and key relationships.
Strategic Projects Stalling
Important initiatives lack ownership and momentum because no one has dedicated bandwidth.
Coordination Breakdown
Departments are siloed, communication is poor, and cross-functional work is difficult.
Board/Investor Demands
Preparing for board meetings and investor communications is consuming too much CEO time.
Rapid Growth Phase
The company is scaling quickly and the CEO needs leverage to maintain effectiveness.
Fractional Chief of Staff Costs
Chief of Staff vs Other Roles
The chief of staff role is sometimes confused with other support roles. Here's how it differs:
| Role | Focus | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chief of Staff | Strategic initiatives, cross-functional coordination | Senior strategic |
| COO | Day-to-day operations, running the business | C-level executive |
| Executive Assistant | Calendar, travel, admin support | Administrative |
| Project Manager | Specific project delivery | Tactical |
What to Look for in a Fractional CoS
Effective fractional chiefs of staff combine operational excellence with strategic thinking. Look for:
- Consulting or strategy background: Ability to structure and solve complex problems
- Startup/scale-up experience: Understands the pace and ambiguity of growing companies
- Executive presence: Can represent the CEO and engage with the leadership team
- Project management skills: Delivers results, not just advice
- Discretion and trust: Will handle confidential information appropriately
Summary: A fractional chief of staff provides part-time (1-2 days/week) strategic support at £600-£1,000/day—ideal for CEOs who need leverage without a full-time hire.