Fractional COO Cost: How Much Do They Charge and What Do You Get?
In today’s fast-moving business world, founders of startups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) often find themselves stretched thin.
You’ve probably got big vision, but limited time, resources, or bandwidth to fine‐tune operations. That’s where a Fractional COO comes in: someone who brings strategic operations support without the full-time hire overhead.
If you're considering hiring a Fractional COO or just want to understand what value such someone brings and what the typical costs are, this guide is for you.
What Is a Fractional COO?
A Fractional Chief Operating Officer is an outsourced executive who takes on operational leadership (strategy, systems, processes, and team execution) on a part-time or retainer basis.
They typically work a set number of days per month, handling things like:
Defining and implementing processes & systems (e.g. SOPs, workflows, operational tools)
Recruiting, onboarding and building teams
Setting up and managing CRMs, project management tools, marketing automation
Reporting, data warehousing, dashboards—so you can see what’s working
Streamlining workflows and reducing inefficiencies
Essentially, they let you offload the “operational mental load” so you can focus more on growth, product, and bigger picture thinking.
How Much Does a Fractional COO Cost?
The cost of hiring a Fractional COO depends heavily on a few factors:
Hours/Days per month
More time = higher cost; part‐time supports cost less than a full-time hire.Scope & complexity
If you're bringing on multiple functions (CRM, automation, recruiting, operations strategy, etc.), scope is bigger.Level of involvement
Is it hands-off advisory or deeply hands-on (implementation, execution)?Duration of retainer/project
Longer engagements might allow for better rates.Industry and location
Rates differ depending on market, the industry’s norms, and where the COO is based.
What Do You Get When You Hire a Fractional COO?
Paying for a Fractional COO isn’t just paying for hours: it’s for expertise, leverage, and operational transformation. Here’s what clients often receive (and what sunday. offers):
Weekly check-ins
45-minute calls to review progress, plan next steps, review documentation or plans.Project plan & strategy
A clear plan to hit specific business objectives, including recommended software tools, key tactics, etc.Hands-on implementation
Setting up systems (CRM, project tools), writing SOPs, automation, data reporting. These aren’t just suggestions: they’re built and rolled out.Process & systemisation
Creating workflows, standard operating procedures, filing systems, operational tools that ensure consistency, scalability.Team & talent support
Helping recruit, onboard, define roles, support team efficiency.Ongoing optimisation
Once systems are set up, tweaking, iterating, making sure they continue to serve the business without friction.
Is a Fractional COO Right for Your Business?
Hiring a Fractional COO makes sense when:
You’re a founder feeling overloaded by daily operations and want more space for strategy.
You want to scale but the lack of systems is slowing you down.
You need someone to bridge the gap between “just getting things done” and building sustainable, scalable operations.
You can commit time for regular check-ins and expect to leverage their expertise.
If you only need ad-hoc help (e.g. setting up a CRM or designing a one-off workflow), project-based engagements or consulting may suffice. But when you want recurring support, optimisation, and strategic operations as part of your business fabric, a retainer or fractional model is more appropriate.
Still unsure? This article might help you decide what type of support your business needs, right now.
What to Expect: Timeline & ROI
Short term (1-2 months): Setup work: audit operations, design initial processes, get basic tools running (CRM, project management, reporting). You'll likely see immediate operational improvements: less duplication, clearer responsibilities, smoother workflows.
Medium term (3-6 months): Systems begin to solidify. Data starts flowing, you see pattern-based decision making. Reduced mental load, more time freed for strategic tasks. More consistent output, fewer bottlenecks.
Long term (6+ months): Operations scale, teams can handle more volume without breaking down. Automation, strong processes, good hiring & onboarding, you’re ready to grow aggressively. ROI often comes from time saved, higher productivity, fewer costly mistakes, being able to scale without adding unsustainable overhead.
What to Ask When Hiring a Fractional COO
To make sure you get value, ask your potential candidate or agency:
What is included in their retainer or service? (Days/month, what deliverables, communication frequency)
What operational tools & software are they comfortable with? Will they help you implement tools you already use?
Can they show examples of past work: systems set-up, SOPs, process improvement, scaling?
How do they measure success? What KPIs or metrics will they deliver?
What is the onboarding process like? How long before you start seeing impact?
Investing in a Fractional COO can be a game-changer for startups and small businesses.
If you’re paying around US$1,800/month (or equivalent) for 1.5-3.5 days of hands-on support, you’re getting far more than just task execution—you’re buying clarity, strategy, systems, and scalability.
For business owners overwhelmed by operations, a Fractional COO is less of a cost and more of a leverage point: freeing you to focus on what only you can do. If you’d like help evaluating whether a Fractional COO is the right move for your business, or want to explore how our services at sunday. align with your goals, I’d be happy to help.
