Hire a fractional Chief Strategy Officer — senior strategy on tap
A fractional CSO owns corporate strategy, M&A, and new-market entry work on a part-time basis. Get a vetted shortlist in 48 hours.
A fractional CSO costs $10k–$25k/mo ($250–$600/hr), typically works 1–3 days per week, and can be hired in about 48 hours through RecruitFractional — with no placement fee or percentage of compensation. Engagements run fractional, interim, or advisory.
Hiring a fractional CSO? See who matches
No account and no payment. Describe the role and matching fractional executives from our network appear straight away.
Shortlist in 48 hours · No placement fee · No account needed
- • Shortlist in 48 hours
- • No placement fee or percentage of compensation
- • Vetted C-suite and VP operators
- • Fractional, interim, or advisory
When to hire a fractional CSO
Most companies hire a fractional CSO when the founder or existing team can no longer own the strategy function at executive depth. Common triggers:
- You are considering an acquisition, partnership, or geographic expansion
- Board wants a 3-year strategic plan and none exists
- You need someone to run a strategic review without hiring McKinsey
- You are moving into a new product line or market segment
What a fractional CSO owns
A fractional CSO operates as your accountable Chief Strategy Officer on a part-time basis. Typical scope:
- — Corporate strategy, 3-year plan, and portfolio review
- — M&A sourcing, diligence, and integration planning
- — New market entry and expansion plan
- — Competitive intelligence and category work
- — Board and investor strategy narrative
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 CSO cost?
Hire a fractional CSO in your city
Every metro page covers local market dynamics, city-adjusted retainer ranges, and the hiring triggers we see most often in that market. 120 metros across the lower 48 states.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does a fractional CSO do?
- A fractional Chief Strategy Officer owns strategic planning, M&A, and market-entry work on a part-time or project basis. They report to the CEO and often work with the board.
- How much does a fractional CSO cost?
- Fractional CSO engagements typically run $10,000–$25,000 per month or are scoped as fixed-price projects for specific deliverables.
Ready to hire your CSO?
Describe the role and see matching operators — most companies get a shortlist inside 48 hours.
Shortlist in 48 hours · No placement fee · No account needed
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