Fractional CXO services, matched in 48 hours.
Fractional CXO services give you a vetted C-suite operator — CEO, CFO, CMO, CRO, COO, CTO, CPO, CHRO, CCO, or CIO — embedded part-time on a monthly retainer. No 25 to 33 percent retained search fee, no agency markup, no 12-month contract. Post a mandate, review a curated shortlist within 48 hours, run a paid 30-day trial, then confirm the hire.
What are fractional CXO services?
Fractional CXO services provide part-time C-suite leadership on a recurring engagement — typically one to three days per week — instead of hiring a full-time executive or paying a retained search firm 25 to 33 percent of first-year compensation. The operator installs the operating system, coaches internal leaders, and hands off to a full-time hire when the role is ready for it.
This is the standard senior-hiring motion for seed through Series C companies, PE portfolio operators, board-mandated milestones (fundraise, M&A, audit), and any team that needs executive judgment this quarter but not a full-time seat yet.
Fractional CXO services vs. full-time hire vs. retained search
| Attribute | Full-time CXO hire | Retained search firm | Fractional CXO services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to shortlist | N/A (internal hiring) | 6 to 10 weeks | 48 hours |
| Time to hire | 3 to 5 months | 4 to 6 months | 2 weeks (average) |
| Annualized cost | $250k to $450k + equity | $60k to $120k fee + salary | $72k to $260k retainer |
| Placement fee | $0 | 25 to 33% of first-year comp | One month of retainer |
| Engagement shape | Full-time employee | Full-time employee | Fractional or interim |
| Trial period | None | None | Paid 30-day trial |
| Commitment | Open-ended | 12-month contract | 6 to 12 months, 30-day notice |
| Best for | Mature functions | Public-co / Series D+ | Seed through Series C, PE, turnarounds |
Deeper breakdowns: fractional vs. full-time executive and fractional vs. interim vs. consultant.
Every C-suite role we staff
Each C-suite function has a dedicated hub with scope, cost bands, sample deliverables, and vetted operators. VP-level roles are covered on the hire directory.
How our fractional CXO service works
- Step 1
Private mandate
Post outcomes, hours, budget, and start date. Takes about 8 minutes.
- Step 2
48-hour shortlist
Our matcher delivers 3 to 5 vetted fractional CXOs matched to your mandate.
- Step 3
Intros and paid trial
Meet the shortlist, pick one, run a 30-day trial with named deliverables.
- Step 4
Placement
Confirm the hire. One placement fee equal to one month of the retainer.
Full walkthrough on how it works.
Fractional CXO pricing
Paid directly to the operator. Range depends on function, scope, and hours per week.
One-time, on confirmed hire. No percentage of annualized compensation.
Named deliverables, structured check-ins. Continue, pause, or walk away.
See the pricing page for full terms.
Related reading
Fractional CXO services FAQ
What are fractional CXO services?
Fractional CXO services provide part-time C-suite leadership (CEO, CFO, CMO, CRO, COO, CTO, CPO, CHRO, CCO, CIO, and more) on a recurring monthly retainer. Companies get senior operating judgment one to three days per week without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. RecruitFractional runs this as a curated marketplace with 48-hour vetted shortlists.
How much do fractional CXO services cost?
Fractional CXOs typically retain at $6k to $22k per month depending on function, scope, and hours. You pay the operator directly. RecruitFractional charges a one-time placement fee equal to one month of the agreed retainer when the hire is confirmed — no percentage of annualized compensation.
How fast can you match a fractional CXO?
Post a mandate and receive a vetted shortlist of 3 to 5 operators within 48 hours. Most engagements begin within two weeks after intro calls and a paid 30-day trial. Retained search firms take 8 to 14 weeks to a shortlist and 4 to 6 months to close.
What is the difference between a fractional CXO and an interim executive?
A fractional CXO is engaged on a recurring cadence — one to three days per week — typically for 6 to 18 months to build systems and coach in-house leaders. An interim executive is full-time on a fixed-term contract, usually to cover a vacancy or lead a discrete transition. RecruitFractional supports both shapes.
Which C-suite roles do you cover?
Every C-suite function: CEO, CFO, CMO, CRO, COO, CTO, CPO, CHRO, CCO, CIO, CDO, CSO, CISO, plus General Counsel and Chief of Staff. Each role has a dedicated hub with scope, cost bands, and vetted operators.
Do fractional CXOs work remotely?
Yes. Roughly 80 percent of engagements on RecruitFractional are fully remote or hybrid. Companies can filter for on-site availability in specific metros (SF, NYC, Austin, Boston, London) when boardroom presence matters.
Are there long-term contracts?
No. Engagements start with a paid 30-day trial with named deliverables. If it works, most companies continue on a rolling 6 to 12 month engagement with a 30-day notice period. You can pause or end the engagement at any time after the trial.
Do you offer equity-only fractional CXOs?
Rarely. RecruitFractional's network is professional operators who charge cash retainers, sometimes with modest equity supplements (0.1 to 0.5 percent). Equity-only fractional executives are typically advisors, not embedded operators — we cover advisory arrangements separately.
Get your fractional CXO shortlist
Post a private mandate and get a vetted fractional C-suite shortlist within 48 hours. One placement fee. No 25 percent retained search fee, no agency layer, no 12-month contract.