A fractional COO is a part-time Chief Operating Officer. They provide executive-level operations leadership to businesses that need the expertise but cannot justify a full-time executive salary.
The “fractional” part refers to the time commitment. Instead of 50+ hours per week, a fractional COO might work 10-20 hours weekly with a single company. Instead of a $150,000+ salary, businesses pay a monthly retainer — typically $2,500 to $7,500 depending on scope.
Who Needs a Fractional COO?
Fractional COOs work best for businesses in a specific stage: too complex for the owner to manage alone, but not large enough to support a full executive team.
This usually means:
- Revenue between $500K and $10M — Large enough to have real operational complexity, not yet large enough for a full C-suite
- Owner-operated businesses — Where the founder is still involved in daily operations
- Growth-stage companies — Scaling faster than their systems can support
- Trade and service businesses — Where execution depends on crews, schedules, and customer delivery
The common thread: the owner knows something is broken but cannot see clearly enough to fix it while also running the business. This feeling is common — here’s why owners feel stuck even while growing.
What Does a Fractional COO Actually Do?
A fractional COO focuses on operations — the systems, processes, and people that turn strategy into execution. Their work typically includes:
Operational Structure
- Mapping how work actually flows through the business
- Identifying bottlenecks and constraints
- Building accountability systems that don’t depend on the owner
Team Management
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities
- Improving communication patterns
- Building management capacity below the owner
Process Development
- Creating repeatable workflows
- Standardizing delivery so quality becomes consistent
- Reducing the decisions that require owner involvement
Financial Operations
- Ensuring visibility into profitability by job, customer, or service
- Building operational budgets and capacity planning
- Connecting operational decisions to financial outcomes
How Does a Fractional COO Differ from a Business Consultant?
Business consultants typically advise. They analyze problems, make recommendations, and leave implementation to you.
A fractional COO operates. They become part of your team, attend meetings, manage projects, and own outcomes. They don’t just tell you what to fix — they help fix it.
| Aspect | Business Consultant | Fractional COO |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement | Project-based | Ongoing retainer |
| Focus | Analysis & recommendations | Implementation & operations |
| Accountability | Advisory | Operational ownership |
| Involvement | External | Embedded in team |
When Should You Hire a Fractional COO?
You might need a fractional COO if:
- You’re the bottleneck — Every decision routes through you, and work stalls when you’re unavailable. (See: How Owners Accidentally Create Bottlenecks)
- Growth is creating chaos — Revenue is up, but so is stress, rework, and firefighting. (See: When Growth Becomes Risk)
- You can’t step away — The business doesn’t run without your constant involvement
- Good people are struggling — Your team has talent, but outcomes are inconsistent. (See: Why Good Teams Still Struggle)
- You’ve outgrown informal systems — What worked at $300K doesn’t work at $1M. (See: Why Systems Fail Quietly)
What Does a Fractional COO Cost?
Fractional COO services typically range from $2,500 to $7,500 per month, depending on:
- Hours per week (typically 10-20)
- Complexity of the operation
- Scope of responsibilities
- Level of hands-on involvement
Compare this to a full-time COO salary of $120,000-$200,000+ plus benefits, and the math becomes clear. You get 80% of the value at 20% of the cost.
How Do You Work with a Fractional COO?
The most successful engagements have clear boundaries:
- Defined scope — What they own vs. what remains with the owner
- Regular cadence — Weekly check-ins, monthly reviews
- Access to information — Financial data, team communication, customer feedback
- Decision rights — Authority to make operational decisions within boundaries
- Time horizon — Most engagements run 6-18 months
A fractional COO is not permanent. The goal is to build operational capacity so the business can eventually support a full-time operations leader — or run smoothly without one.
The Bottom Line
A fractional COO fills the gap between “owner does everything” and “full executive team.” They bring operational expertise to businesses that need structure but aren’t ready for a $150K+ hire.
If you’re working 60+ hours, making every decision, and still feeling like the business controls you instead of the other way around — a fractional COO might be the highest-leverage investment you can make.