Senior Leadership, Flexible Commitment
Fractional CMO
Your business deserves senior marketing leadership — without the overhead of a full-time executive hire. A fractional CMO brings strategic clarity, operational discipline, and growth-stage expertise on terms that work for you.
30–50%
Cost savings vs full-time
40+
Brands served
90 days
To measurable impact
10–20h
Flexible weekly hours
How I actually run this
I have sat on both sides of the agency relationship — as a fractional CMO running retainer work at $3K–$12K per month, and as an operator selecting and managing external partners across paid search, paid social, email, and CRO. I bring that perspective to organizations that need to decide whether their current agency is earning its keep or need help picking a better one.
A typical engagement starts with a diagnostic: what is the marketing operation actually being asked to do, what is getting reported, and does any of it connect to revenue. From there I can restructure the team, write a replacement RFP and score vendor responses, or set up the internal KPI and escalation structure that makes the existing team more effective. I try to avoid the two extremes — sacking everyone on day one or defending indefensible spend — and instead focus on decisions that hold up at the operating table.
What's included
- Strategic Direction
- Define your marketing vision, set priorities, and align every initiative with business objectives.
- Team Mentoring
- Upskill your in-house team with hands-on coaching, process improvements, and best-practice frameworks.
- Board-Level Reporting
- Translate marketing performance into executive-ready narratives that resonate with stakeholders and investors.
- Marketing Roadmap
- Build a 90-day and annual marketing plan with clear milestones, dependencies, and resource requirements.
- Budget Optimization
- Maximize ROI by reallocating spend to the highest-performing channels and eliminating waste.
How it works
A proven five-phase engagement model that delivers results from day one.
- 1DiscoveryDeep-dive into your business goals, market position, and current marketing capabilities.
- 2AuditComprehensive review of existing channels, campaigns, tech stack, and team structure.
- 3StrategyDevelop a prioritized marketing strategy aligned with revenue targets and growth stage.
- 4ExecutionLead implementation alongside your team, managing vendors and driving accountability.
- 5ReviewMonthly performance reviews with data-backed recommendations for continuous improvement.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a fractional CMO?
- A fractional CMO is an experienced Chief Marketing Officer who works with your company on a part-time or contract basis. You get the strategic leadership, team management, and board-level reporting of a full-time executive without the overhead of a permanent C-suite hire. Engagements typically range from 10 to 20 hours per week, scaling up or down as your needs evolve.
- How much does a fractional CMO cost compared to a full-time hire?
- A full-time CMO in Canada typically costs $200,000–$350,000 per year in salary, benefits, and equity. A fractional CMO engagement typically runs 30–50% of that cost while delivering the same strategic capability. You pay for the leadership hours you actually need, making it the most capital-efficient path to senior marketing talent for growth-stage businesses.
- What's the difference between a fractional CMO and a marketing consultant?
- A marketing consultant delivers recommendations and leaves. A fractional CMO embeds in your organization — attending leadership meetings, managing your marketing team, owning the budget, and being accountable for results. The role is hands-on and ongoing, not advisory. Your team reports to them, vendors are held accountable, and strategy is executed — not just documented.
- How long does a fractional CMO engagement typically last?
- Most engagements start with a 90-day sprint to audit your current marketing, build a strategy, and establish operational rhythms. From there, many businesses retain their fractional CMO for 6 to 18 months while they scale — eventually transitioning to a full-time hire when the role justifies it, or continuing on a reduced cadence for strategic oversight.
Fractional CMO vs full-time hire
When does a fractional CMO make more sense than hiring full-time?
| Comparison dimension | Fractional CMO | Full-time CMO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | $60K–$120K | $200K–$350K+ |
| Time to impact | Weeks | Months |
| Commitment | Month-to-month | 12–24 month min |
| Experience breadth | 40+ brands | 2–3 companies |
| Scalability | Scale hours up/down | Fixed headcount |
| Strategic depth | Senior-level | Senior-level |
Pair with
Ready for senior marketing leadership?
Let's discuss how a fractional CMO engagement can accelerate your growth.
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