How long are typical CAO engagements

Most fractional CAO engagements run 6-12 months for transformation with some extending for ongoing oversight.

What should a CAO deliver in the first 90 days

Expect operational assessment governance framework and prioritized improvement roadmap with quick wins identified.

Where do I find fractional CAOs

Specialized platforms and executive networks offer pre-vetted fractional administrative executives.

Should I hire fractional or full-time CAO

Fractional for transformation and setup. Full-time when operations require daily leadership.

How long are typical CAO engagements

Most fractional CAO engagements run 6-12 months for transformation with some extending for ongoing oversight.

What should a CAO deliver in the first 90 days

Expect operational assessment governance framework and prioritized improvement roadmap with quick wins identified.

Where do I find fractional CAOs

Specialized platforms and executive networks offer pre-vetted fractional administrative executives.

Should I hire fractional or full-time CAO

Fractional for transformation and setup. Full-time when operations require daily leadership.

Hire a Fractional CAO

Complete guide to finding and hiring fractional administrative leadership

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

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Key Takeaways

1Fractional CFOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, 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

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When to Hire a Fractional CAO

Quick Definition

Hire a fractional CAO when your organization needs operational leadership but is not ready for full-time overhead. Ideal for growing companies transitioning from founder-led operations establishing compliance frameworks or undergoing operational transformation.

What to Look For in a Fractional CAO

Look for candidates with experience at similar-stage companies. Key qualities include proven operational transformation track record experience establishing governance and compliance frameworks ability to work across HR IT legal and facilities and strong change management capabilities. Ask for case studies not just resumes.

CAO Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	What to Assess	Red Flags
Operations	Cross-functional experience	Single department only
Governance	Compliance framework setup	No regulatory experience
Change	Transformation track record	Maintenance only roles
Communication	Executive presence	Poor stakeholder skills

Interview Questions for Fractional CAO

Key questions to ask: What operational transformations have you led? How do you approach establishing governance frameworks? What is your experience with compliance and risk management? How do you prioritize across multiple administrative functions? What quick wins would you target in the first 90 days? Run a trial engagement to gauge cultural fit.

Engagement Models

Model	Days per Week	Best For
Advisory	1 day	Governance setup
Fractional	2-3 days	Operational oversight
Interim	4-5 days	Full transformation

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Cost Comparison

Fractional vs Full-Time Executive

Full-Time Executive£286k/year

Salary + Benefits + Overhead

Fractional Executive£106k/year

1-2 days/week average

Your Potential Savings

£180k+

63%

saved

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Time Allocation

How fractional executives spend their time

Strategy30%

Operations25%

Leadership20%

Governance15%

Technology10%

Hire a Fractional CAO (Chief Administrative Officer)

A fractional Chief Administrative Officer provides senior operational leadership across corporate functions including facilities, procurement, legal operations, and executive services.

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Why Hire a Fractional CAO?

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Operational efficiency: Streamline corporate functions and reduce overhead

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Governance: Strengthen board governance and corporate administration

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Procurement: Optimise vendor management and contract negotiation

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Scalability: Build corporate infrastructure that supports growth

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What a Fractional CAO Delivers

Deliverable	Timeline
Operational assessment & efficiency review	Weeks 1-4
Corporate governance framework	Weeks 4-8
Procurement strategy & vendor optimisation	Weeks 8-12
Ongoing administrative leadership	Ongoing

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Typical Engagement Models

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Strategic: 1-2 days/week for corporate governance

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Operational: 2-3 days/week for administrative leadership

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Transformation: 3-4 days/week for operating model redesign

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CAO Salary Guide

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Fractional COO Jobs UK

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Fractional COO Salary

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UK Fractional Executive Day Rates

Compare day rates across C-suite roles

CFOThis Role£800 - £1500/day

£1100

CTO£900 - £1600/day

£1200

CMO£750 - £1400/day

£1000

COO£800 - £1400/day

£1050

CDO£900 - £1450/day

£1150

CISO£900 - £1550/day

£1200

Rate Range

Average

Source: UK Market Data 2025

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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

Fractional CFO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

Your Day Rate

£1,000

£750Avg: £1000£1500

Days Per Client/Week

2.5 days

1 day5 days

Number of Clients

2 clients

Weekly

£5,000

Monthly

£21,650

Annual

£240,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.

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

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