How quickly can you find an interim Operations Director?

We can typically present 3-5 qualified candidates within 5-7 working days. For urgent turnaround situations or critical operational issues, we can accelerate this timeline.

What should I budget for a fractional COO?

Fractional COO day rates range from £900-1,300 depending on seniority and specialisation. For a COO working 2 days per week, expect monthly costs of £7,500-10,500—versus £180-250k+ for a permanent COO with benefits.

Do you have Operations Directors with manufacturing experience?

Manufacturing is one of our core specialisms. Our network includes Operations Directors and COOs who have run factories, led lean transformations, and managed complex production environments across sectors from automotive to FMCG.

Can a fractional COO help with ERP implementation?

Absolutely. Many of our fractional COOs have led ERP implementations—they understand both the technical and change management aspects. They can own the project without the permanent headcount commitment.

What if the interim Operations Director is not working out?

We build flexibility into all engagements. If the fit is not right within the first 30 days, we will work with you to transition to another Operations Director from our network at no additional placement cost.

How quickly can you find an interim Operations Director?

We can typically present 3-5 qualified candidates within 5-7 working days. For urgent turnaround situations or critical operational issues, we can accelerate this timeline.

What should I budget for a fractional COO?

Fractional COO day rates range from £900-1,300 depending on seniority and specialisation. For a COO working 2 days per week, expect monthly costs of £7,500-10,500—versus £180-250k+ for a permanent COO with benefits.

Do you have Operations Directors with manufacturing experience?

Manufacturing is one of our core specialisms. Our network includes Operations Directors and COOs who have run factories, led lean transformations, and managed complex production environments across sectors from automotive to FMCG.

Can a fractional COO help with ERP implementation?

Absolutely. Many of our fractional COOs have led ERP implementations—they understand both the technical and change management aspects. They can own the project without the permanent headcount commitment.

What if the interim Operations Director is not working out?

We build flexibility into all engagements. If the fit is not right within the first 30 days, we will work with you to transition to another Operations Director from our network at no additional placement cost.

Operations Leadership Specialists

Operations Director Recruitment

Connecting businesses with exceptional interim and fractional Operations Directors and COOs. Drive operational excellence with proven operational leadership.

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

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Jobs Rates FAQs Compare

📖1 min read

📅Updated 30 Jan 2026

📝1 words

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£800-1500

Day Rate

📅

1-3

Days/Week

💰

50-70%

Cost Savings

🎯

500+

UK Placements

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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

Operations Director

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Expert Operations Director & COO Recruitment

Operational excellence separates thriving businesses from struggling ones. Our specialist operations recruitment practice connects you with proven Operations Directors and COOs who have scaled businesses, optimised processes, and driven efficiency across sectors from manufacturing to SaaS.

COO vs Operations Director: Understanding the Difference

The distinction between COO and Operations Director varies by organisation:

Operations Director Recruitment Across Sectors

We place interim and fractional Operations Directors across sectors including: manufacturing and engineering, technology and SaaS, logistics and distribution, professional services, retail and hospitality, healthcare and life sciences, e-commerce and fulfilment, and PE-backed portfolio companies.

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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%

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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Related Executive Roles

Complementary leadership for your organisation

👔

Fractional COO

Operations aligned with financial goals

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👔

Finance Director

Day-to-day financial management

→

👔

Fractional CEO

Strategic leadership and governance

→

👔

Fractional CDO

Data-driven financial insights

→

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know

A fractional COO works part-time (typically 1-3 days per week) on an ongoing basis, providing strategic operational leadership. An interim Operations Director usually works full-time (4-5 days per week) for a defined period—typically to lead a transformation or cover a leadership gap.