Fractional Chief of Staff

Hire a fractional Chief of Staff — leverage for the CEO

A fractional Chief of Staff runs the operating cadence, cross-functional programs, and top CEO priorities part-time — turning executive intent into execution.

  • • Shortlist in 48 hours
  • • No 25–30% placement fee
  • • Vetted C-suite and VP operators
  • • Fractional, interim, or advisory

When to hire a fractional Chief of Staff

Most companies hire a fractional Chief of Staff when the founder or existing team can no longer own the strategy function at executive depth. Common triggers:

  • CEO is drowning in cross-functional coordination
  • Weekly business review, OKRs, and exec cadence need an owner
  • A big program (rebrand, replatform, expansion) needs a driver
  • You want a full-time Chief of Staff but not yet
  • Board reporting, investor updates, and all-hands need a real cadence

What a fractional Chief of Staff owns

A fractional Chief of Staff operates as your accountable Chief of Staff on a part-time basis. Typical scope:

  • Operating cadence: WBR, MBR, QBR, all-hands
  • OKRs, planning, and cross-functional program management
  • Board deck, investor updates, and internal comms
  • CEO calendar, priorities, and decision hygiene
  • Special projects and exec team execution
  • Handoff plan to full-time Chief of Staff

Engagement models

Fractional (ongoing)

1–3 days per week on a recurring basis. Best when you need executive judgment in the business every week, but not a full-time hire yet.

Interim (full-time, fixed term)

Full-time coverage for 3–9 months. Best for a vacancy, a fundraise, an M&A event, or a turnaround.

Project / advisory

Scoped engagement (10–40 hours) tied to a specific deliverable — a plan, a system, a hire, a diligence.

How much does a fractional Chief of Staff cost?

Hourly
$150–$350/hr
Monthly retainer
$6k–$14k/mo
Note
Most fractional Chief of Staff retainers run $6k–$12k/month for 1–2 days per week.

Frequently asked questions

What does a fractional Chief of Staff do?
A fractional Chief of Staff runs the CEO's operating cadence, cross-functional programs, and top priorities on a part-time basis. They multiply the CEO's leverage without adding an exec team seat.
How much does a fractional Chief of Staff cost?
Fractional Chief of Staff retainers typically run $6,000–$14,000 per month, or $150–$350 per hour, depending on scope and hours.

Ready to hire your Chief of Staff?

Post your role or request a curated shortlist — most companies get one inside 48 hours.