Fractional CMO vs In-House Marketing
Strategic leadership vs dedicated resource
Key Takeaways
- 1Fractional CMOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
- 2UK day rates range from £750 to £1400, depending on experience and sector
- 3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
- 4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
- 5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods
Experience vs Availability
An in-house hire gives you full-time availability but limited to one persons experience. A fractional CMO brings decades of varied experience but limited hours. The right choice depends on your stage.
The In-House Advantage
A full-time marketing hire is always available, deeply immersed in your business, and can handle day-to-day execution. For many companies, this hands-on presence is essential.
The Fractional Advantage
A fractional CMO brings experience from multiple companies and industries. They have seen what works (and what does not) across different contexts, providing strategic insight that a single-company career cannot match.
A Hybrid Approach
Many companies use both: a fractional CMO for strategy and leadership, with in-house marketers for execution. The CMO mentors and directs the team while bringing senior expertise.
Cost Comparison
Fractional vs Full-Time Executive
Your Potential Savings
£164k+
Time Allocation
How fractional executives spend their time
UK Fractional Executive Day Rates
Compare day rates across C-suite roles
Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time
Choose the right engagement model
| Aspect | Fractional | Interim | Full-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | 1-3 days/week | 4-5 days/week | 5 days/week |
| Duration | Ongoing/flexible | 3-12 months | Permanent |
| Annual Cost | £50-150k | £150-300k | £200-400k+ |
| Best For | SMEs, startups, scale-ups | Crisis, transitions | Large enterprises |
| Flexibility | ★★★ High | ★★☆ Medium | ★☆☆ Low |
Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.
Calculate Your Day Rate
Calculate Your Potential Income
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.
Related Executive Roles
Complementary leadership for your organisation
Industry Resources & Authority Links
Related Pages
The Fractional Executive Trend
Industry data on the rise of fractional leadership
of executives who moved to fractional work report higher job satisfaction
Source: Harvard Business Review ↗Platform Stats
Founder's background
📊 CMO Market Snapshot
💰 CMO Day Rates
Based on 2026 market data for UK CMO roles.
