Fractional Glossary Terms

Fractional Head of Marketing

frak-shuh-nl hed uv mar-kih-ting (noun)

A Fractional Head of Marketing is a senior marketing leader hired on a part-time or contract basis to lead brand, campaigns, content, and growth strategy — without the cost or commitment of a full-time marketing executive.

Unlike a CMO who works at the board level, a Fractional Head of Marketing tends to be more hands-on — leading execution as much as strategy, managing agencies and contractors, and building the marketing function from the ground up where needed.

For businesses that need someone to own marketing end-to-end but aren't at the stage for a C-suite hire, this is the role that bridges the gap.

Think: a senior marketer who can both set the strategy and actually get the work done.