Fractional CEO job description template: Everything you need to include

Fractional CEO job description

Job Title: Fractional CEO

Location: [City, State/Remote]

Company: [Company Name]

Reports To: [e.g., Board of Directors, Company Owner]

Job Type: [Part-Time/Contract]

Hours: [e.g., 20 hours per week]

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Fractional CEO to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and business growth expertise on a [part-time/contract] basis for [Company Name]. Our company specializes in [Brief Description of Products, Services, and/or Core Competencies] and requires a leader who can support our mission/goal of [Brief Description of Company Mission/Goal]. You will work closely with the leadership team to drive business transformation, optimize operations, and achieve key milestones without the commitment of a full-time executive role.

If you are a visionary leader with a proven track record in scaling businesses, driving revenue growth, and implementing strategic initiatives, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-level business strategies to drive sustainable growth and profitability.

• Provide executive leadership and mentorship to internal teams, ensuring alignment with company goals.

• Analyze financial performance, market trends, and business operations, offering strategic recommendations.

• Optimize business processes, operational efficiency, and overall company performance.

• Lead fundraising, investment discussions, or capital allocation strategies where applicable.

• Guide leadership teams through change management, restructuring, or market expansion efforts.

• Foster strategic partnerships, business development opportunities, and industry networking.

• Assess risks, identify challenges, and provide solutions to maintain business stability.

Requirements

Soft Skills & Leadership Approach:

• Strategic and visionary mindset, capable of aligning business goals with market opportunities.

• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Analytical and data-driven approach to solving business challenges.

• Ability to navigate complex business environments and drive change.

• Collaborative and adaptable, working effectively with teams and stakeholders.

Technical & Industry Skills:

• Strong understanding of business strategy, financial management, and corporate governance.

• Ability to optimize business operations, develop KPIs, and implement performance metrics.

• Knowledge of market trends, industry regulations, and competitive landscape.

Preferred qualifications

Education & Experience:

• MBA or Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

• X+ years of executive leadership experience (CEO, COO, CFO, or other senior leadership roles).

• Proven experience across [List Specific Industries].

• Experience in startup growth, mergers & acquisitions, venture capital, or private equity.

• Proven track record of scaling businesses, driving revenue growth, or leading successful turnarounds.

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Leadership Role: Work with businesses in a high-impact, part-time capacity.

• Strategic Influence: Drive growth and transformation in a dynamic, executive-level role.

• Diverse & Inclusive Culture: We value skill-based hiring, diverse perspectives, and transparency.

• Professional Growth: Gain opportunities to expand your leadership portfolio and industry impact.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) to [email/website link].

Deadline: [Insert Application Deadline]

[Company Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Why this fractional CEO job description template works

Our fractional CEO job description is built to attract top executives who can step in part-time and make a real impact – not just candidates with management experience seeking flexible hours.

Job details and summary 

Right from the start, we clarify this is a fractional role. Many senior executives might skip over the posting if they think you’re hiring a full-time CEO. We also list the number of expected weekly hours. This matters because fractional CEOs can work for multiple companies at once, so they need to know if they have time to juggle the responsibilities.

The summary cuts to the point: You need someone who can transform the business and drive growth without being there full-time. It also describes important details about your company, including its mission or other goals. This helps candidates quickly determine if their expertise and leadership style can meet your needs.

Key responsibilities 

We list duties in order of importance, starting with what matters most: crafting business strategy. The description then spells out exactly what a fractional CEO will handle – from analyzing financials and mentoring teams to securing funding and building partnerships. 

This tells candidates they'll need to deliver results quickly, without the usual months-long settling-in period that full-time CEOs often get.

Each responsibility points to concrete actions. Instead of vague terms like "provide leadership," we specify tasks like "guide teams through change management restructuring" and "optimize business processes." This helps experienced executives understand exactly what their typical week might look like.

You should tailor this section to your needs – for instance, if you need a fractional CEO to help with a company merger only, then list just those responsibilities associated with the merger. This way, you won’t make candidates think you’re asking too much of them for a part-time role. 

Competencies and qualifications 

We break down requirements and preferred qualifications into three clear buckets: soft skills and leadership approach, technical and industry skills, and education and experience. 

Leadership skills come first because a fractional CEO must read situations quickly and influence teams they don't see every day. That's often more crucial than technical knowledge.

Other soft skills are critical for fractional CEOs, so they’re also at the top. Fractional CEOs must quickly build trust, communicate with impact, and drive change without being physically present every day. 

Aaron Hageman, an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, says, "Fractional CEOs don’t just work on the business; they also work with you as a coach and advisor. They’re a sounding board who can challenge your thinking and provide unbiased guidance."

For technical skills, you can specify what you need – like experience with M&As or venture capital – rather than just asking for general "business knowledge." This helps attract candidates with the exact skills needed to help your business achieve its goals – whether that’s restructuring the business, providing industry-specific growth strategies, or something else.

When it comes to experience and education, it's more important to have candidates with solid leadership expertise than fancy academic credentials. While an MBA or business degree is great, you should value executives who have successfully grown businesses, led major changes, or managed complex situations. That’s why we list education as a preferred credential rather than a requirement. 

We also list specific experience as “preferred” – while it's common for fractional CEOs to have experience as executives in the C-suite or in other senior leadership roles, individuals with extensive industry expertise or strategic skills developed in other roles (like consulting) might still have what it takes to help your company thrive. 

Depending on your needs, you can move qualifications around between the “required” and “preferred” sections (for instance, you can require a certain number of years of experience as a full-time CEO) – just know this might limit your applicant pool. 

Your offering and culture 

Fractional CEOs typically have multiple opportunities available, so this section is designed to make the role stand out. Instead of listing generic benefits, we highlight the flexibility, influence, and high-impact nature of the role – factors that appeal most to experienced executives looking for challenging, strategic leadership positions.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing fractional CEO candidates

With your fractional CEO job description ready, you must move beyond traditional executive recruiting methods. You can post your job ad on platforms like LinkedIn, executive search firms, and other job boards to attract fractional CEO candidates, but assessing these candidates requires a strategic approach.

Talent assessments can help. These assess your applicants’ skills and other qualities (like situational judgement and personality), and they’re particularly crucial for fractional roles, where executives must prove they can deliver results quickly. Our platform offers various tests for assessing fractional CEO candidates' capabilities.

Here are some relevant tests from our test library:

• Communication Skills test

• Critical Thinking test

• Leadership & People Management test

• Problem Solving test

• Process Improvement test

• Change Management test

• Risk Management test

• Time Management test

• Remote Team Management test

• Active Listening test

• Business Judgment test

• Business Ethics and Compliance test

• Negotiation Skills test

• Culture Add test

You can combine up to five tests to create the perfect assessment, plus add custom questions. This way, you can evaluate your applicants based on their skills rather than just their executive track records. Our system automatically scores assessments and ranks applicants for you, so it’s best to assess all your applicants – this way, you won’t miss out on any diamond-in-the-rough fractional CEOs.

Get started with TestGorilla today by signing up for an account. Our customers can post on our job board. 

FAQs

How much does a fractional CEO make?

Salaries for fractional executives typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 per month. This can vary based on the executive's experience, expertise, and the specific needs of the company. Some fractional CEOs may also charge hourly rates, usually between $200 to $300 per hour.

What are fractional roles?

Fractional roles are part-time executive positions where experienced leaders provide strategic expertise without a full-time commitment. Common C-suite fractional roles include fractional CFOs (chief financial officers), CMOs (chief marketing officers), COOs (chief operating officers), CTOs (chief technology officers), and CIOs (chief information officers).