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Hire a Fractional COO to scale your operations. Senior operational leadership, process excellence, and scaling expertise—at a fraction of full-time cost.
A Fractional COO is an experienced Chief Operating Officer who works with your company on a part-time basis—typically 1-3 days per week. You get the operational leadership, scaling expertise, and process optimisation skills of a senior COO without the commitment and cost of a full-time hire.
Unlike operations consultants who advise from the sidelines, a fractional COO becomes your operational leader. They attend leadership meetings, manage cross-functional initiatives, build operational infrastructure, and take ownership of execution—just not five days a week.
"A fractional COO frees the CEO to focus on strategy and growth while ensuring the business runs smoothly."
In many growing companies, the CEO is handling operations by default—managing projects, solving operational fires, and coordinating between teams. This takes time away from strategy, fundraising, and business development.
A fractional COO takes operational responsibility off the CEO's plate. They bring structure, systems, and accountability so the CEO can focus on what only they can do: leading the company's vision and growth.
Core responsibilities your fractional COO will own
Design and implement the operating model that supports your growth. Align operations with business strategy and ensure execution excellence.
Identify bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and implement efficient processes. Build the operational infrastructure that scales.
Design organisational structure, define roles, and build high-performing teams. Ensure the right people are in the right positions.
Lead critical initiatives and cross-functional projects. Ensure key programmes are delivered on time and on budget.
Select and implement operational systems—CRM, ERP, project management, and communication tools that enable productivity.
Define operational KPIs, build dashboards, and create accountability frameworks. Make operations data-driven.
Manage key supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and optimise the partner ecosystem for cost and quality.
Let your CEO focus on strategy, fundraising, and growth instead of day-to-day operations. A fractional COO handles execution so leadership can lead.
Access COO-level expertise at 40-60% less than a full-time hire. Pay only for the time you need—typically £75,000-£140,000 per year versus £180,000+ for full-time.
Fractional COOs have scaled companies before. They know what operational infrastructure you need at each stage and can implement it quickly.
Skip months of recruitment. A fractional COO can start within days, diagnose operational issues quickly, and begin implementing improvements.
Fractional COOs work across multiple businesses. They bring best practices, benchmarks, and proven playbooks from diverse operational challenges.
The right time to hire a fractional COO depends on your operational challenges. Here are the most common scenarios:
If the CEO is spending more time managing operations than leading strategy, it's time for a COO to take the operational load.
Before burnoutScaling fast and operations are struggling to keep up. Processes are breaking, quality is slipping, and the team is stretched thin.
At 50%+ growthYou've raised capital and need to scale quickly. Investors expect operational excellence and the ability to execute on growth plans.
Immediately after closeThings are falling through the cracks. Projects are delayed, communication is broken, and there's no clear accountability.
As soon as possibleM&A buyers and IPO investors want to see operational maturity. A fractional COO can professionalise operations for due diligence.
12-18 months beforeYou need to implement systems, processes, and structures but lack the expertise. A fractional COO can build the foundation.
Before it becomes urgentCompare the cost of fractional vs full-time COO
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. Consult with a qualified accountant for accurate financial planning.
Choose the right model for your needs
| Feature | Fractional COO | Interim COO | Full-Time COO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commitment | 1-3 days/week | Full-time (temporary) | Full-time (permanent) |
| Duration | Ongoing (6+ months typical) | 3-12 months | Permanent |
| Cost | £3,000-£6,000/week | £8,000-£12,000/week | £150,000-£250,000/year + benefits |
| Focus | Strategic + operational | Gap-fill or transformation | All responsibilities |
| Flexibility | Scale up/down as needed | Fixed term contract | Limited flexibility |
| Best For | Growing companies, specific expertise needs | Leadership gaps, major transitions | Large orgs with full-time need |
From first conversation to start date in as little as 7 days
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.
Tell us about your operational challenges and we'll match you with pre-vetted fractional COOs who have solved them before.