Fractional Head of Marketing
Fractional Head of Marketing. Growth Engineered.
Senior marketing leadership that owns strategy, channels, and team — driving pipeline and brand without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Why marketing leaders choose Fractionus
- Vetted operators only. We shortlist experienced Heads of Marketing with track records in your channel mix and market segment.
- Fast start. Typical kickoff in days, not months.
- Flexible engagement. 2–3 days/week, day rate or retainer.
- Clear outcomes. Marketing strategy, channel plan, team structure, and a revenue-connected reporting framework.
What is a Fractional Head of Marketing?
A Fractional Head of Marketing is a senior marketing leader who partners with your leadership team part-time to own the full marketing function — strategy, execution, team, and reporting. They are accountable for growth outcomes, not just activity metrics. They operate as an embedded member of your leadership team, attending planning sessions, owning budgets, and representing marketing at the board level.
Where they go deep
- Marketing strategy, annual planning, and channel prioritisation
- Brand positioning, messaging, and narrative
- Demand generation and pipeline marketing
- Performance marketing (paid social, search, programmatic)
- Content strategy, SEO, and organic growth
- Marketing ops, attribution, and tech stack
- Team structure, hiring, and agency management
Fractional CSIO
Ex-SoundCloud
Fractional CRO
Ex-Heineken
Fractional CXO
Ex-McKinsey
Fractional GTM
Ex-Salesforce
Fractional Head of AI
Ex-GE Capital
Fractional COO
Ex-Glossier
Fractional CTO
Ex-Afterpay
Fractional CTO
Ex-Google
Fractional CPO
Ex-Pleo
Fractional CTO
Ex-BMW
Fractional CPO
Ex-Lego
Fractional CFO
Ex-We Are Brands
When to hire a Fractional Head of Marketing
- You have marketing activity but no marketing strategy. Campaigns running in all directions without a coherent plan is a Head of Marketing problem, not a channel problem.
- You’re transitioning from founder-led marketing. This is one of the highest-leverage hires at the growth stage — a fractional Head of Marketing makes the transition without the full-time risk.
- You have a team but no leader. Channel specialists without a senior owner default to tactics. A fractional Head of Marketing gives them direction and accountability.
- Your CAC is rising and you don’t know why. A fractional Head of Marketing runs the attribution audit and builds the framework to fix it.
What does engagement look like?
Most companies engage a fractional Head of Marketing at 2–3 days per week — enough to run the function, own the team, and be present at leadership level. Common formats: monthly retainer or quarterly sprints.
90-Day deliverables typically include
- Marketing audit and channel performance review
- Brand positioning and messaging refresh
- Annual marketing plan with budget allocation
- Attribution model and reporting framework
- Team structure assessment and hiring roadmap
- Agency brief and management framework
Fractional Head of Marketing
Your next move is one conversation away.
Why the fractional model is surging
A full-time Head of Marketing at the right experience level costs $160K–$250K+ before bonuses and equity. For businesses that need senior marketing leadership but aren’t yet ready to justify full-time headcount, the fractional model delivers the same strategic ownership at a fraction of the cost — and with the flexibility to scale as the business grows.
How Fractionus works
- Brief us once. Your channels, team, growth goals, and current marketing challenges.
- Shortlist in days. Meet 2–3 vetted fractional Heads of Marketing matched to your category and stage.
- You choose. Interview, check fit, and select your leader.
- We handle everything else. Paperwork, billing, and smooth scale-up/scale-down.
What you’ll get — and measure
- A coherent marketing strategy your team understands and can execute against
- Revenue-connected reporting — pipeline and CAC tracked alongside brand metrics
- A team with direction, accountability, and the right channel priorities
- Faster, more confident marketing decisions at the leadership level
Fractional leaders from top brands
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about working with a Fractional Head of Marketing through Fractionus
What’s the difference between a fractional CMO and a fractional Head of Marketing?
A CMO operates at C-suite level — board communication, investor relations, and high-level strategy. A Head of Marketing is closer to execution — owning campaigns, managing the team, and running the day-to-day marketing operation. For most growth-stage businesses, a fractional Head of Marketing is the right first hire.
Can they manage our existing marketing team?
Yes. Most fractional Heads of Marketing step into a player-coach role, managing the team while also contributing directly to strategy and execution.
How quickly can we start?
Most clients meet shortlists within a week and kick off within days after selection.
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