Fractional COO for Startups
Operations Leadership for Scaling Startups
Key Takeaways
- 1Fractional COOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
- 2UK day rates range from £800 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
Startup founders often try to do everything - until the company outgrows their capacity. A fractional COO helps founders let go of operations, build scalable processes, and focus on what only they can do.
Cost Comparison
Fractional vs Full-Time Executive
Your Potential Savings
£172k+
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. COO UK average day rate: £950.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Typically Series A or later, when the company has 20-50+ employees and operational complexity is increasing. Earlier-stage startups usually do not have enough complexity to warrant COO focus.
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
📊 COO Market Snapshot
💰 COO Day Rates
Based on 2026 market data for UK COO roles.
