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Fractional growth leader / CMOSenior leadership without the full-time hire.
You need senior growth leadership. You may not yet need — or want to pay for — a full-time CMO. A fractional arrangement gives you an experienced growth leader embedded in your business: setting strategy, leading execution, building the measurement stack, and owning the number.
When it’s the right call
- You’re a founder still running marketing yourself and hitting a ceiling.
- You have a capable execution team but no senior strategic head.
- You’re not ready for a £150k+ full-time CMO, but you’ve outgrown ad-hoc freelancers and agencies.
- Your board or investors want credible, accountable growth leadership.
- You need someone who’s done it before — across enterprise and venture.
Fractional vs the alternatives
Where a fractional leader fits.
| Fractional leader | Full-time CMO | Agency | Freelancer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seniority | Senior operator | Senior | Often junior delivery | Varies |
| Cost | Fraction of FTE | £150k+ | Retainer + media | Lower |
| Strategy + execution | Both | Both | Execution-led | Usually one channel |
| Accountable for the number | Yes | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Speed to value | Fast | Slow to hire | Medium | Fast but narrow |
FAQs
How much does a fractional CMO cost?
A fraction of a full-time CMO’s package, scaled to days per week and scope. We give you a clear proposal after a discovery call.
How many days a week?
Usually one to three, scaled to your stage and goals.
How is this different from an agency?
You get one accountable senior leader owning your growth, not a team executing tactics — and we manage agencies for you when needed.
Can it convert to full-time later?
Often it’s a bridge to your first full-time CMO — we’ll even help you hire and onboard them.