Fractional CTO
What is a fractional CTO?
A fractional CTO is an experienced chief technology officer who works with a company part time on an ongoing basis, typically a day or two a week or a fixed number of days a month. They carry the same responsibilities as a full-time CTO for strategy, architecture, delivery, suppliers, security and hiring, at a fraction of the cost and commitment.
Why companies use one
Most companies need senior technical judgement long before they need, or can afford, a full-time executive. The gap shows up as decisions queuing behind a founder, an outsourced team nobody is checking, or investor questions about architecture and security that nobody can answer.
A fractional arrangement buys the judgement without the salary, equity and search cost of a permanent hire, and without the twelve-week gap while that hire is found.
What it is not
It is not a consultant writing a report and leaving. A fractional CTO holds standing accountability for the technical function between visits, and their decisions are minuted like any other executive's.
It is also not an interim. An interim CTO fills a vacant full-time seat for a fixed term at full-time intensity; a fractional CTO is a part-time arrangement that is intended to continue. And it is not a non-executive director: a non-executive sits on the board holding the executive to account and carries statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006, while a fractional CTO sits inside the executive line.
Fractional CTO, part-time CTO, virtual CTO: the same role?
In practice, yes. Part-time CTO and virtual CTO describe the same arrangement as fractional CTO: an experienced technology executive engaged for an agreed slice of the week rather than a full-time salary. Virtual CTO tends to be used where the work is entirely remote. None of the three titles is defined in law or in any standard, so the label tells you nothing until you ask what the person is accountable for.
The title is not protected
Anyone may use it, and it covers two quite different jobs: written advice, or standing accountability for strategy, hiring, suppliers, security and what the board is told. Ask which one is on offer before you compare rates.
Sources and review
- Companies Act 2006, sections 170 to 177, for the distinction between an executive role and the statutory office of a director.
- Definitions on this page describe how the engagements in this practice are structured, and are stated as experience rather than as an industry standard.
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