Fractional Chief Marketing Officer Search

At The Good Works we match purpose-driven brands with top-tier Fractional Chief Marketing Officers to accelerate their growth!

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What's the difference between a Fractional and full time CMO?

When we talk about Fractional CMO's, we are really talking about Senior Level Marketing talent for agencies or brands that will come in to the business on a 1,2 or 3 day a week basis. See below for a more detailed breakdown.

Responsibilities & Scope

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Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the marketing department, including long-term strategy, day-to-day operations, team management, and internal culture building.

Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO focuses primarily on strategic oversight, providing high-level marketing direction without handling daily operational tasks or managing internal teams on a full-time basis.

Expertise & Approach

Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs are often more integrated into the company, gaining deep knowledge of the company's culture, products, and goals, and contributing to long-term growth.

Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs are often hired for their specific expertise in certain areas such as brand development, market expansion, or digital strategy, bringing external perspectives to improve marketing strategies.

Commitment & Engagement

Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is dedicated to your company, working on-site or remotely full-time, often responsible for leading the entire marketing department and aligning all marketing strategies.

Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO works part-time, typically for a few days a week or month, offering strategic leadership without the full-time commitment. They work on specific projects or high-level strategies as needed.

Investment

Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs come with a significant cost, including salary, benefits, and other overheads like bonuses or stock options.

Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO is generally more cost-effective, as they work on a flexible, hourly, or retainer-based arrangement, allowing businesses to access executive-level expertise without the full salary cost.

Flexibility & Scalability

Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO provides stability and continuity, but there’s little flexibility in adjusting the scope of work without re-evaluating compensation or responsibilities.

Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs offer greater flexibility, scaling their time and involvement up or down as needed, making them ideal for businesses in transition, startups, or those with fluctuating marketing needs.

Time & Focus

Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs dedicate all of their working hours to your company and are often expected to be on-site and available during standard working hours, ensuring consistent oversight of marketing operations.

Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs split their time across multiple clients, dedicating a portion of their week or month to your company. Their focus is typically on high-impact strategic work rather than day-to-day management.

Duration

Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is a long-term leader in the company, with the potential to evolve the company's marketing vision over several years and integrate deeply with other departments and senior leadership.

Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO typically serves for a defined period or project, providing valuable expertise without the long-term commitment of a full-time leadership position.

In summary, a full-time CMO offers deep, long-term leadership and dedication but comes with higher costs and more rigid responsibilities. In contrast, a fractional CMO provides flexible, specialised marketing expertise on a part-time basis, making them a cost-effective option for companies seeking high-level strategic guidance without the commitment of a full-time role.

Seamless, low-risk hiring

Minimal notice periods. Predictable monthly costs. Maximum impact. A smarter way to scale.

Rapid hiring

The Good Works six step process is designed to have the perfect match in place within 2-4 weeks from brief.

Elite talent, on demand

Access our curated network of top CMOs who have scaled leading startups and brands—without the full-time commitment.

Flexible, fast and fractional

Top-tier marketing leadership, exactly when you need it. Whether it’s a few days a week or a high-impact interim role.

Our network of Fractional CMOs have worked as Directors, VPs, and C-level executives at some of the world’s most successful startups and brands, bringing exceptional expertise and a passion for solving the most challenging problems!

Here’s what they might cover:

From optimising marketing spend to mentoring your existing marketing team, our Fractional CMO's bridge the gap between big ideas and practical execution.

Developing and optimising your marketing strategies for growth

Budget management and maximising your ROI 

Brand strategy and management

Content and communications strategy

Identifying and collaborating with strategic and agency partners

Leading and mentoring your existing marketing team

Resolving complex marketing challenges

Marketing and sales automation

The Good Works Match Methodology

Our six step process is designed to match you with the perfect Fractional Chief Marketing Officer for your business and brand. We aim to have placed your match within 2 - 4 weeks from brief.

Step 1

Briefing

We kick off with a Good Works scoping session to get to know your business and your fractional CMO requirements.

Step 2

Defining the Role

Together, we create a detailed Role Profile to attract a top-tier Fractional CMO for your specific requirements.

Step 3

Matching

We identify and present a curated shortlist of best-in-class Fractional CMOs who are interested in the opportunity.

Step 4

Interviewing

We coordinate interviews, manage scheduling, and gather feedback from both sides to ensure the perfect match.

Step 5

Offer Management

Our team supports the offer and contracting process, to ensure both parties are set up for success.

Step 6

Support

Post-placement, we provide continuous support through check-ins and feedback management.

Our fees are totally transparent and designed for flexible budgets. We charge 20% placement fee on a month-by-month basis, ensuring no big up front costs or risk of losing the fee if you need to switch it up.

If you’re a Fractional CMO or considering becoming one and are looking for purpose-driven opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a mission-driven CMO?

Fractional Chief Marketing Officer Questions & Answers

  • A Fractional Chief Marketing Officer is a senior marketing leader who works part-time hours or is engaged for a high-impact interim period. They provide strategic oversight, optimise marketing strategies, and mentor your marketing team—without the full-time commitment.

    With a proven track record of scaling brands, launching major campaigns, and solving complex marketing challenges, a good Fractional CMO will bring the marketing expertise needed to drive your business growth.

    For brands in rapid growth mode or companies needing fresh strategic marketing leadership, a Fractional CMO can be the smarter, faster way to get results.


  • One of the big benefits of hiring a Fractional CMO is that unlike full-time CMOs, who require fixed annual salaries along with additional benefits like holiday pay, bonuses and pensions, Fractional CMOs offer more flexible pricing models such as day rates or monthly retainers. You also avoid the cost of significant notice periods and up front recruitment fees if for any reason it doesn't work out.

    Depending on the experience level, number of days required and the scope of their role, our CMO fees vary from £600 to £2,000 per day.

  • The right Fractional CMO can have a phenomenal impact on your businesses success without the heavy overhead or commitment of a full time hire.

    Fractional CMO's are ideal for organisations experiencing rapid growth, needing strategic direction, or needing ownership of the marketing function without the cost of a full-time CMO. Here are the some common scenarios where hiring a Fractional CMO can be invaluable:

    Strategic Support

    Your leadership team are focused on other essential areas of the business and lack the capacity or the capability to drive the marketing function to success

    Optimising Your Existing Marketing Team

    Your team is brilliant but needs mentorship, leadership, or strategic guidance from their marketing efforts to achieve your business goals.

    Project-Specific Needs

    You have time-sensitive initiatives like product launches or campaigns that require expert oversight.

    Urgent Cover

    Recruiting the right full-time CMO can take 6 months or longer. If you need a strategic marketing leader in a short time-frame, a Fractional CMO can be in place quickly and steady the ship and can even help find your permanent hire.

    Temporary Cover

    You need cover for maternity or paternity leave for your CMO or Marketing Director with someone who can hit the ground running

    Focused Resources

    Your business is at a point where they need to be lean. A Fractional CMO CMO can focus their efforts on the most important area and make a high impact with less time.

    Part-time Requirement

    You need a senior, strategic marketing leader to own the marketing function but it's not a full time role.

    Specialised Expertise

    You need high-level, niche marketing expertise but don't need these full-time or only for an interim period.

    Contact us today to start the journey toward more effective marketing strategies, marketing expertise and sustainable business growth.

  • How a Fractional CMO Can Transform Your Business

    A Fractional CMO provides the strategic oversight and leadership needed to address your unique marketing challenges. Here’s how they can transform your business:

    Aligning Marketing Efforts with Business Goals

    A Fractional CMO ensures your marketing strategies are aligned with your business growth objectives, improving overall marketing effectiveness.

    Introducing Cutting-Edge Techniques

    From leveraging marketing tools to identifying new marketing channels, they bring fresh ideas to drive customer acquisition and sales enablement.

    Empowering Your Team

    Working closely with your existing marketing team, a Fractional CMO can mentor and manage staff, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.

    Maximising Your Marketing Spend

    With a keen focus on ROI, Fractional CMOs ensure your marketing budget is utilised effectively to execute strategies that deliver measurable results.

  • Fractional Marketing Officers and Senior Outsourced Marketing Executives can sometimes come in to deliver a particular, one-off service including:

    Comprehensive Marketing Plan Development

    Crafting a comprehensive marketing strategy that addresses short-term goals while building the foundation for long-term success.

    Brand Development and Market Positioning

    Some Fractional Marketing Officers specialise in brand development and strategy, working with agencies or designers to develop a brand that aligns with your missions and business goals.

    Strategic Support for Marketing Campaigns

    From ideation to execution, they can provide high-level marketing expertise, providing strategic marketing guidance to ensure your campaigns achieve maximum impact.

    Customer Acquisition and Retention

    By identifying and addressing gaps in your marketing function, Fractional Marketing Officers can help optimise your lead generation and customer acquisition on a project basis.

  • Commitment & Availability

    • Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is dedicated to your company, working on-site or remotely full-time, often responsible for leading the entire marketing department and aligning all marketing strategies.

    • Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO works part-time, typically for a few days a week or month, offering strategic leadership without the full-time commitment. They work on specific projects or high-level strategies as needed.

    Cost Structure

    • Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs come with a significant cost, including salary, benefits, and other overheads like bonuses or stock options.

    • Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO is more cost-effective, as they work on a flexible, hourly, or retainer-based arrangement, allowing businesses to access executive-level expertise without the full salary burden.

    Role & Responsibilities

    • Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the marketing department, including long-term strategy, day-to-day operations, team management, and internal culture building.

    • Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO focuses primarily on strategic oversight, providing high-level marketing direction without handling daily operational tasks or managing internal teams on a full-time basis.

    Expertise & Focus

    • Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs are often more integrated into the company, gaining deep knowledge of the company's culture, products, and goals, and contributing to long-term growth.

    • Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs are often hired for their specific expertise in certain areas such as brand development, market expansion, or digital strategy, bringing external perspectives to improve marketing strategies.

    Scalability & Flexibility

    • Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO provides stability and continuity, but there’s little flexibility in adjusting the scope of work without re-evaluating compensation or responsibilities.

    • Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs offer greater flexibility, scaling their time and involvement up or down as needed, making them ideal for businesses in transition, startups, or those with fluctuating marketing needs.

    Time Investment

    • Full-Time CMO: Full-time CMOs dedicate all of their working hours to your company and are often expected to be on-site and available during standard working hours, ensuring consistent oversight of marketing operations.

    • Fractional CMO: Fractional CMOs split their time across multiple clients, dedicating a portion of their week or month to your company. Their focus is typically on high-impact strategic work rather than day-to-day management.

    Longevity & Leadership

    • Full-Time CMO: A full-time CMO is a long-term leader in the company, with the potential to evolve the company's marketing vision over several years and integrate deeply with other departments and senior leadership.

    • Fractional CMO: A fractional CMO typically serves for a defined period or project, providing valuable expertise without the long-term commitment of a full-time leadership position.

    In summary, a full-time CMO offers deep, long-term leadership and dedication but comes with higher costs and more rigid responsibilities. In contrast, a fractional CMO provides flexible, specialised marketing expertise on a part-time basis, making them a cost-effective option for companies seeking high-level strategic guidance without the commitment of a full-time role.