Fractional Chief of Staff: Executive Support, Flexible Commitment
Get the strategic support of a world-class Chief of Staff without the full-time commitment. Part-time, project-based, or interim - find the model that works for your business.
What is a Fractional Chief of Staff?
A fractional Chief of Staff is an experienced CoS professional who works with your company on a part-time basis - typically 1-3 days per week or on specific projects.
They bring the same strategic expertise, executive presence, and operational capability as a full-time CoS, but with flexible commitment and lower total cost. It's the ideal solution for companies that need CoS-level support but aren't ready for (or don't need) a full-time hire.
Benefits of Fractional Chief of Staff
Why more companies are choosing fractional over full-time for their first CoS:
Cost-Effective
40-60% less than full-time when including salary, benefits, equity, and employment costs
Immediate Impact
Experienced professionals who can add value from day one without lengthy onboarding
Flexible Commitment
Scale up or down based on business needs. No long-term lock-in required.
Senior Expertise
Access professionals with 10-20+ years experience who wouldn't join full-time at your stage
Fresh Perspective
External viewpoint and cross-industry experience brings new ideas and best practices
Risk Mitigation
Test the CoS role before committing to a full-time hire. Validate the need.
Who is Fractional Chief of Staff Ideal For?
Fractional CoS works best in these scenarios:
Early-Stage Startups
Perfect fitSeed to Series A companies that need strategic support but can't afford £100K+ salary
Founders Pre-Hire
Great for validationCEOs wanting to test the CoS role before committing to a full-time search
Project-Based Needs
Ideal use caseSpecific initiatives: fundraising prep, M&A support, operational transformation
Scale-up Gap
Bridge solutionGrowing companies between needing EA support and full-time CoS
Interim Coverage
Temporary solutionCovering while searching for full-time CoS or during transitions
Portfolio Companies
Cost-effective expertisePE/VC portfolio companies needing operating partner-level support
What a Fractional CoS Can Do
Even part-time, a fractional Chief of Staff can deliver significant value across these areas:
Strategic Planning Support
Quarterly planning, OKR setting, strategy development and alignment
Board & Investor Preparation
Board deck creation, investor updates, data room preparation
Executive Team Facilitation
Leadership meeting design, facilitation, and follow-through tracking
Cross-Functional Projects
Leading initiatives that span multiple departments
Operational Excellence
Process improvement, systems implementation, scaling operations
CEO Sounding Board
Strategic thought partnership, decision support, confidential counsel
Fractional Chief of Staff Pricing
UK market rates for fractional CoS services (2026):
| Pricing Model | Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Rate | £800 - £2,000/day | Ad-hoc projects, specific deliverables | Most flexible, pay as needed |
| Monthly Retainer | £3,000 - £8,000/month | 1-2 days per week ongoing support | Most common arrangement |
| Project-Based | £5,000 - £25,000 | Defined scope: fundraise prep, board deck, etc. | Fixed deliverable, fixed price |
| Equity + Reduced Cash | £1,500 - £4,000/month + 0.1-0.3% | Early-stage startups with limited cash | Aligned incentives |
Fractional vs Full-Time Chief of Staff
How do the two models compare?
| Aspect | Fractional | Full-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | £36,000 - £96,000 ✓ | £100,000 - £200,000+ |
| Time to Value | Immediate ✓ | 2-3 months onboarding |
| Flexibility | High - scale up/down ✓ | Fixed commitment |
| Availability | 1-3 days/week | Full-time dedicated ✓ |
| Deep Integration | Moderate | High - embedded in company ✓ |
| Long-term Continuity | Variable | High - invested in growth ✓ |
Bottom line: Start fractional if you're unsure about the role or have budget constraints. Move to full-time when the CEO needs daily support and the company has scaled to justify the investment.
How to Engage a Fractional Chief of Staff
Define Your Needs
What specific challenges do you need help with? Strategic planning? Board prep? Cross-functional projects? Be specific about outcomes.
Match with the Right Person
We'll introduce you to fractional CoS professionals with relevant industry experience and the right working style for your CEO.
Start Small, Scale Up
Begin with a trial period or specific project. Increase days as you see value. Convert to full-time if/when it makes sense.
Ready to Explore Fractional Chief of Staff?
Tell us about your needs and we'll match you with experienced fractional CoS professionals.
Related Resources
Partner Resources
Chiefs of Staff often coordinate cross-functional initiatives including procurement, vendor management, and business development. For specialised support in these areas: