Hire a
Fractional CCO
Complete guide to finding, vetting, and hiring the perfect fractional Chief Customer Officer for your business.
Where to Find Fractional CCOs
Six proven channels for finding pre-vetted, experienced fractional customer leaders.
Fractional Job Boards
Platforms like Fractional.Quest with pre-vetted fractional executives actively looking for engagements.
LinkedIn Search
Search for CCOs using hashtags #FractionalCCO, #CustomerSuccess, or "Chief Customer Officer" in titles.
CS Communities
Customer success communities like Gain Grow Retain, CS Leadership Slack, or industry events.
SaaS Founder Networks
Ask other SaaS founders, investors, or advisors who they've used for customer leadership.
Fractional Executive Networks
Agencies and networks that match companies with fractional customer leaders.
SaaS Conferences
Attend SaaStr, Pulse, or customer success conferences and events.
Pro Tip: The best fractional CCOs often come from SaaS companies with strong NRR track records. Ask about specific retention metrics and churn reduction results during interviews.
What to Look For in a Fractional CCO
Not all experienced customer success leaders make good fractional CCOs. Here's what separates the best from the rest.
1. NRR & Retention Track Record
Have they demonstrably improved net revenue retention? Look for specific numbers - e.g., 'Improved NRR from 95% to 115%' or 'Reduced churn by 40%'. Generic claims without metrics are a red flag.
Specific NRR improvements, churn reduction percentages, expansion revenue growth
Vague claims like 'improved retention' without numbers
2. Company Stage Experience
Have they scaled CS at your stage? A CCO from an enterprise company won't know how to build CS from scratch at a startup. Look for experience at companies 1-2 stages ahead of you.
Built CS teams from scratch, scaled from 5 to 30+ CSMs, experience at Series A/B companies
Only worked at large enterprises or never scaled a CS function
3. Customer Health Scoring
Can they implement predictive customer health scoring? Great fractional CCOs understand how to identify at-risk customers early using product usage, engagement, and satisfaction data.
Experience with health scoring frameworks, Gainsight/ChurnZero expertise, data-driven approach
Relies only on gut feel or hasn't used modern CS platforms
4. Team Building & Coaching
Have they built and led customer success teams? A fractional CCO needs to hire, mentor, and develop CSMs. They should have hired at least 10-20 CS professionals and managed teams of 5-15 people.
Built CS teams from scratch, hiring process expertise, coaching methodology, career pathing experience
Never managed people or prefers individual contributor work
5. Cross-Functional Alignment
Can they work across product, sales, and support? Great CCOs understand the customer journey end-to-end and can align teams around customer outcomes. They should speak both product and commercial language.
Experience working with product teams, voice of customer programs, sales handoff optimization
Siloed thinking, only focuses on post-sales
6. Fractional Working Model Fit
Do they know how to work fractionally? This requires discipline, clear communication, and asynchronous collaboration. Ask how they manage multiple clients, stay organized, and make impact in 2 days/week.
Works with 2-4 companies currently, systems for time management, clear communication cadence
First fractional engagement or working with 6+ companies (spread too thin)
The Fractional CCO Hiring Process
From first conversation to start date in 2-4 weeks.
Brief
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
Match
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Meet
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Start
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.
Brief
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
Match
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Meet
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Start
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.
Browse CCO Candidates
Connect with experienced fractional CCOs seeking new opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Hire?
Browse pre-vetted fractional CCO candidates. Post your role and start interviews this week.