Hiring Guide
Fractional vs Full-Time Growth Hire
The right choice depends on your stage, budget, and what you actually need built
When Full-Time Makes Sense
A full-time growth hire is the right choice when you need dedicated, long-term ownership.
$5M+ ARR with Growth Function Needs
You've hit scale where growth requires dedicated leadership. The complexity of your revenue engine justifies a full-time owner who lives and breathes your business daily.
Long-term Strategic Ownership
You need someone to build and lead a growth team over years, not months. Culture, hiring, and institutional knowledge compound with tenure.
Clear Growth Playbook Exists
You know what needs to be built — you just need someone to execute and optimize it continuously. The diagnostic phase is done.
Board/Investor Requirement
Your investors or board want a dedicated growth executive on the org chart. The signal matters as much as the execution.
When Fractional Makes Sense
Fractional is often the smarter first move — lower risk, faster start, and the option to upgrade later.
Diagnostic Needed First
You're not sure what's broken or what kind of growth leader you need. A fractional engagement can diagnose problems before you commit to a full-time hire.
$1-5M ARR Stage
You need growth leadership but can't justify $200K+ salary plus equity. Fractional gives you senior expertise at a fraction of the cost.
3-6 Month Projects
You have specific initiatives — churn recovery, pricing optimization, SEO infrastructure — that need senior ownership but not permanent headcount.
Test Before Committing
You want to validate that growth leadership actually moves the needle before making a $300K+ annual commitment.
Bridge During Transition
Your growth leader left, you're searching for a replacement, and you need someone to keep momentum while you hire.
Cost Comparison
The true cost of a full-time hire is often 2-3x the salary. Here's the full picture.
| Category | Full-Time Hire | Fractional CGO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $200K-350K salary + 0.5-2% equity | $120K-300K (for 3-6 month engagement) |
| Benefits & Overhead | +25-40% (health, 401k, taxes, equipment) | Included in engagement fee |
| Recruiting Cost | $40K-80K (recruiter fees or internal time) | None — start immediately |
| Onboarding Cost | 3-6 months at reduced productivity | Productive within 1-2 weeks |
| Exit Cost if Wrong Fit | Severance + recruiting again + lost time | End engagement at term |
Time to Impact
Fractional starts delivering in weeks. Full-time takes months to even begin.
Risk Profile
Fractional = fixed commitment, known cost. Full-time = long-term bet, variable outcome.
The Transition Path
The best fractional engagements end with a clear handoff. Here's how a fractional CGO can set you up for a successful full-time hire.
Diagnose & Stabilize
Fractional CGO identifies what's broken and builds the initial systems. You learn what kind of full-time leader you actually need.
Define the Role
Based on real experience working in your business, help write a job description that attracts the right candidate — not a generic posting.
Interview Support
Sit in on final interviews, evaluate candidates' approaches to your specific challenges, help you avoid expensive hiring mistakes.
Structured Handoff
30-60 day overlap with new hire. Transfer context, introduce systems, ensure continuity. They inherit a running operation, not a blank slate.
How I Structure Engagements
I'm not trying to become a permanent fixture. The goal is to build systems, transfer knowledge, and leave you better than I found you.
3-6 Month Embedded Engagements
Long enough to diagnose, build, and prove value. Short enough that you're not locked into the wrong fit.
Outcome-Focused, Not Time-Focused
We define success criteria upfront. If we hit them early, we can wrap up or extend to new objectives.
Documentation Built In
Every system I build comes with documentation. Your team can maintain and improve it without me.
Honest Assessment
If you need a full-time hire from day one, I'll tell you. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you that too.
Not sure which path is right? Let's talk through your situation.