Why Fast-Growing Businesses Are Turning to Fractional COOs

What Is a Fractional COO?

A Fractional COO (Chief Operating Officer) is an experienced operations executive who steps into a company on a part-time flexible basis to work the deeper magic for system wide growth issues. 

Some of these areas include:

• stabilize operations

• build structure

• lead teams

• improve systems

• drive performance

• support the CEO

• scale the business

  
  

They work anywhere from a few hours per week to several days per month, depending on the company’s needs.  They are a top-tier, A+ manager for your company.  

What Do Fractional COOs Do?

A great fractional COO typically handles:

Operational Leadership

• Overseeing daily business operations

• Managing cross-functional departments

• Aligning teams to goals and accountability

Systems & Process Optimization

• Designing workflows and SOPs

• Implementing automation & tech stacks

• Improving efficiency and scalability

Strategic Planning

• Creating strategic initiatives with the CEO

• Setting up KPIs and performance dashboards

• Driving quarterly/annual planning cycles

People & Team Management

• Leading managers and department heads

• Building high-performing team structures

• Hiring, onboarding, and HR oversight

Business Infrastructure

• Implementing project management frameworks

• Overseeing finance operations (not accounting)

• Strengthening customer experience + delivery

Why Do Companies Hire Fractional COOs?

Businesses typically hire a fractional COO when they:

• are growing quickly and need structure

• can’t afford a full-time COO

• need help creating scalable systems

• need operational leadership but not 40 hours/week

• are overwhelmed with inefficiencies

• have a visionary CEO who needs an executor

• need someone to connect strategy → operations

This is especially common in:

• online businesses

• agencies

• coaching/education companies

• professional service firms

• SaaS and startups

• rapidly scaling small businesses

What Are The Benefits of a Fractional COO?

• Cost-effective – access to a senior operator without full-time salary + benefits

• Fast impact – they jump in immediately

• Expert guidance – deep experience across many industries

• Strategic perspective – they don’t get pulled into internal politics

• Operational maturity – they build the foundation for long-term success

• Scalability – they create systems that grow with the business

What Makes a Great Fractional COO?

• Strong leadership + communication

• Proven operational experience

• Process and systems mindset

• Data-driven decision-making

• Ability to execute AND strategize

• Calm under pressure

• Can manage teams and tech

• High ethical standards and trustworthiness

How Do Fractional COO’s Charge?

Fractional COO’s charge based on performance.  Fractional COO’s are professionals who have been at the forefront of their industry plowing a path through rugged plains for years, sometimes into the decades of their career, bring an intense level of experience and solutions that a newer level executive just won’t have in their arsenal.  You are hiring a COO to make drastic changes in your business to support growth and scaling and a secure infrastructure.  You can’t just trust anyone to take on that role.

You can expect to pay a flat-rate retainer for your COO, plus any business expenses and your other team members salaries.  It doesn’t matter what the hourly rate is! You’re not hiring an assistant, you’re hiring a leader.

But that’s the glory of hiring a fractional - you are only paying for their expertise part-time.  You don’t need to cover their office equipment, benefits, or taxes.  So you’re getting a C-Level executive for the fraction (get it!?!) of the cost.

How Do I Hire a Fractional COO?

Well…hello.  Let’s start here, with us! <---------

You will find loads of fractional COO’s on the internet.  Although the term “fractional” is a fairly new term, you can also look for Online Business Managers or Director of Operations titles.  Try looking on Indeed and LinkedIn to get started.