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Fractional Chief Operating Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LeaderFit

Chief Operating Officer, Hope Heals

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Audit existing systems and programs for mission alignment and provide objective, data-informed recommendations Financial management is led by a fractional CFO. The COO partners closely with the CFO ...

Ascent CFO Solutions, LLC

Fractional CFO

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$120 - $140/hr

Fractional CFO - Ascent CFO Solutions What if your next executive role gave you the impact of a CFO seat, without the 70-hour weeks? Ascent CFO Solutions is expanding our bench of experienced ...

Ascent CFO Solutions

Fractional CFO

Denver, CO · Remote

Fractional CFO - Ascent CFO Solutions What if your next executive role gave you the impact of a CFO seat, without the 70-hour weeks? Ascent CFO Solutions is expanding our bench of experienced ...

HiFyve

Fractional CFO

Chicago, IL

$200K - $250K/yr

HiFyve is hiring a Fractional CFO in the Chicagoland area! Salary: $200,000-$250,000/year + 25% bonus Schedule: Days | Fractional, approximately 20-40+ hours per month with flexibility Location:

New

InfiNet Solutions

Fractional CTO

Omaha, NE · On-site

Fractional CTOPosition Summary The Fractional CTO serves as a dedicated technology leader for assigned enterprise clients, partnering closely with organizations throughout the Omaha metropolitan area ...

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Fractional Chief Operating Officer information

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$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do fractional chief operating officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for fractional chief operating officer in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fractional chief operating officer?

A Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) is an experienced executive who works part-time or on a contract basis to help organizations manage their daily operations and improve business processes. Unlike a full-time COO, a fractional COO typically serves multiple clients and provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and process optimization without the long-term commitment or cost of a full-time hire. This arrangement is especially valuable for growing companies that need executive expertise but aren’t ready or able to hire a full-time COO.

How does a fractional chief operating officer balance responsibilities across multiple clients, and what should applicants expect in terms of workload and collaboration?

A Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) often works with several organizations simultaneously, dedicating a set number of hours or days to each client based on their needs. This requires excellent time management and the ability to quickly adapt to different company cultures and operational structures. Applicants can expect to focus on high-impact strategic initiatives, streamline operations, and collaborate closely with executive teams and department heads. Frequent communication, flexibility, and prioritization skills are essential, as is the capacity to build trust and deliver results without being embedded full-time at any one company.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fractional chief operating officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fractional Chief Operating Officer, you need extensive operational management experience, strategic planning abilities, and a strong track record in leadership, often supported by a business degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with project management software, CRM systems, and data analytics tools is common for optimizing operations and driving results. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills help build trust quickly and drive change across diverse teams. These competencies are crucial for delivering measurable improvements and scalable growth within organizations on a part-time or contract basis.

What is the difference between Fractional Chief Operating Officer vs Chief Operating Officer?

AspectFractional Chief Operating OfficerChief Operating Officer
CredentialsExperience in operations, often with industry-specific knowledgeAdvanced degree or extensive experience in operations leadership
Work EnvironmentPart-time, consulting basis, often with multiple clientsFull-time, in-house executive role within a single organization
Employer & Industry UsageStartups, small to mid-sized companies seeking flexible leadershipLarge corporations, established companies with dedicated executive teams
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for flexible operational leadership optionsSeeking a full-time, strategic operations leader

The main difference is that a Fractional Chief Operating Officer provides part-time, flexible operational leadership often on a consulting basis, while a Chief Operating Officer is a full-time, in-house executive responsible for the company's overall operations.

More about Fractional Chief Operating Officer jobs

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Fractional Chief Operating Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fractional Chief Operating Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

Fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Innovative Inc

Hagerstown, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced, business-minded technology leader to serve as a Fractional CTO or Technology Strategy Advisor across a portfolio of clients. This role combines high-level strategic leadership with practical execution - guiding organizations through technology transformation, operational scaling, and digital enablement.
Engagements may include ongoing fractional CTO retainers, steering committee participation (SCaaS), or short-term advisory work. The right candidate thrives in a dynamic, consultative environment and is comfortable shifting between boardroom strategy and hands-on technical problem solving.

Engagement Model

Can be structured as:
Full-Time Employee (FTE) role leading multiple client engagements; or
1099 Subcontractor on a fractional retainer basis (typically X hours/week per client).
Compensation and structure will depend on experience, availability, and client portfolio alignment.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

  • Serve as a technology leader on client steering committees, providing oversight, insight, and alignment between business strategy and technology investment.
  • Develop, evaluate, and refine technology roadmaps that enable growth, efficiency, and scalability.
  • Act as an executive advisor to CEOs, COOs, and Boards on technology decisions, vendor selection, and digital transformation.
  • Build and mentor internal technology leadership - particularly in scenarios where a client is transitioning or developing an internal CTO or Director of Technology.

Operational & Technical Guidance

  • Assess and optimize client technology stacks, development practices, infrastructure, and security posture.
  • Guide project management, software architecture, and engineering process improvement initiatives.
  • Lead technology due diligence and integration for M&A, investment, or partnership scenarios.
  • Oversee or advise on vendor and partner relationships to ensure accountability and value.

AI, Automation & Efficiency

  • Integrate practical AI and automation initiatives that drive measurable improvements in efficiency, scalability, and process optimization - not AI for AI's sake.
  • Help define responsible AI policy and governance within client organizations to ensure compliance, ethics, and alignment with operational goals.

Team Leadership & Mentoring

  • Coach and mentor emerging technology leaders, helping bridge skill gaps during leadership transitions or growth phases.
  • Support hiring, team structure, and culture development within client technology organizations.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in technology or operational leadership - ideally as a CIO, CTO, IT Director, or in an equivalent executive role where technology strategy and execution were a core part of daily responsibility (e.g., COO, CFO, or CEO in a technology-dependent organization).
  • Proven success aligning technology strategy with business outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of modern software architecture, cloud infrastructure, data strategy, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing automation, analytics, and/or AI-driven process improvements.
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, comfortable engaging with executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Consulting, advisory, or multi-client fractional experience strongly preferred.

Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

  • Operates as a strategic partner, not just a technologist.
  • Brings a pragmatic, outcomes-driven approach - balancing innovation with operational discipline.
  • Excels in fractional or portfolio-style work and context-switching between clients.
  • Enjoys coaching and developing leaders, not just running teams.
  • Has a bias toward efficiency, scalability, and measurable business impact.

Example Engagement Scenarios

  • Long-term fractional CTO supporting a mid-market company's ongoing digital transformation.
  • Short-term interim CTO following leadership turnover.
  • Coaching engagement for an internal CTO recently promoted into the role.
  • Steering Committee member advising on enterprise technology strategy and AI enablement.

Apply