How Do You Hire the Right Fractional CEO for Your Company?
FRACTIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) STAFFING
What Is a Fractional CEO and How Does Frontline Place One?
A fractional CEO is an experienced chief executive who leads your company part-time, usually 40 to 100 hours a month. Frontline Source Group recruits, vets, and places fractional, interim, and succession CEOs nationwide, and when you hire your CEO full-time, the placement is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times the 90-day industry standard.
A fractional CEO sets strategy, drives accountability across the leadership team, and represents the business to owners, boards, lenders, and investors. Frontline sources fractional CEOs from a nationwide network built over 22 years and 5,619 completed placements. You meet a short slate of screened chief executives, choose the one who fits, and Frontline manages the engagement agreement, billing, and monthly check-ins. When you are ready for a full-time CEO, you can hire the same person, backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty. For permanent CEO and C-suite searches, see our C-suite executive search practice. For other seats, see fractional CFO services, fractional COO services, and fractional CHRO services, or compare every role on the fractional executive staffing page.
Frontline has been named one of the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026) and ranked #148 on the 2026 Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms list. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, and a member of the American Staffing Association. Clients rate Frontline 5.0 stars across 682 verified Trustpilot reviews and 5.0 on G2 from validated reviewers. See the full list on our awards page.
FRACTIONAL CEO PLACEMENT SPECIALISTS
Who Will Match You With Your Fractional CEO?
Fractional CEO placements at Frontline are led by Bill Kasko, Founder, President, and CEO, who has built Frontline from a single Dallas office in 2004 to 32+ offices nationwide and specializes in C-suite executive search, and Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, who leads Frontline's executive recruiting team. It is the same executive search leadership that places chief executives and C-suite leaders nationwide, not a generalist sales team.
year warranty
Successful Placements and Counting
Executive Placement Retention: In Role or Promoted at One Year
Placement totals and the executive placement retention rate are based on internal placement tracking by Frontline Source Group. The retention rate counts placed executives who are still in the role, or have been promoted, at the end of their first year. Public review ratings are sourced from independent third-party review platforms.
5 Year Placement Warranty InfoUpdated on 10/01/26
SIGNS YOU NEED A FRACTIONAL CEO
When Should a Company Hire a Fractional CEO?
Most companies bring in a fractional CEO when the business needs seasoned executive leadership at the top but a full-time CEO is not the right move yet. Common triggers include:
- The founder or owner wants to step back from daily leadership without selling
- Growth has stalled and the leadership team needs clear direction and accountability
- The CEO left suddenly and the business needs steady leadership during the search
- An owner is preparing the company for a sale, succession, or next generation handoff
- A private equity firm or board needs an experienced operator in a portfolio company
- The business is in a turnaround and needs decisive leadership fast
Choose From a Vetted Slate
Meet two to three screened fractional CEOs and pick the one who fits your company, your owners, and your leadership team.
5-Year Warranty on Conversion
Hire your fractional CEO full-time and the placement is covered for five years, 20 times the 90-day standard.
Proven Chief Executives
Every candidate screened on prior CEO or general management results, industry fit, leadership style, and references from boards or owners.
32+ Offices Nationwide
Local executive recruiters in major metros, with remote and on-site CEOs nationwide.
ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS
Which Fractional CEO Engagement Fits Your Company?
Fractional CEO
A dedicated part-time chief executive for ongoing leadership on flexible monthly terms. Best for founder-led and owner-led companies that need a seasoned leader setting direction without a full-time executive salary.
Interim CEO
A full-time CEO for 3 to 12 months to cover a sudden vacancy, lead a turnaround, or stabilize the business while the board or owner searches for a permanent leader.
Transition and Succession CEO
A CEO who leads the business while the founder or owner steps back, prepares the company for a sale or next generation handoff, and builds a leadership team that can run without its founder.
Fractional to Full-Time
Hire your fractional CEO permanently at any point. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
WHAT A FRACTIONAL CEO DOES
What Does a Fractional CEO Do for Your Business?
A Frontline fractional CEO takes ownership of where the company is going and holds the leadership team accountable for getting there.
Strategy and Direction
- Company vision and strategic plan
- Annual goals and operating budget
- Market and growth strategy
- Pricing and business model decisions
- Strategic partnerships
- Capital priorities and investment decisions
Leadership and Accountability
- Leadership team structure and hiring
- Executive meeting cadence and KPIs
- Performance management of senior leaders
- Culture and company values
- Founder and owner coaching
- Cross-department alignment
Stakeholders and Transitions
- Board, owner, and investor reporting
- Lender and key customer relationships
- Succession and exit planning
- Sale preparation and merger and acquisition support
- Turnaround and restructuring leadership
- Private equity portfolio company leadership
FRACTIONAL CEO PRICING
How Much Does a Fractional CEO Cost?
Fractional CEO engagements typically cost $8,000 to $30,000 per month, depending on hours, company size, and complexity. Experienced fractional CEOs usually bill $250 to $500 per hour, and some engagements include a performance or equity component. Frontline quotes each engagement after a scoping call, with no hidden fees.
| Engagement level | Hours per month | Typical monthly range | Common scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory | Hours per month20 to 40 | Typical monthly range$8,000 to $12,000 | Common scopeFounder guidance, strategic plan, leadership coaching |
| Leadership | Hours per month50 to 80 | Typical monthly range$13,000 to $22,000 | Common scopeRunning the leadership team, KPIs, growth strategy |
| Strategic | Hours per month80 or more | Typical monthly range$23,000 to $30,000 | Common scopeTurnaround, sale preparation, succession, PE portfolio leadership |
| Interim (full-time) | Hours per monthAbout 160 | Typical monthly rangeQuoted weekly | Common scopeVacancy, turnaround, or transition coverage |
Compared with a full-time CEO, a fractional engagement avoids the full salary, bonus, equity, benefits, and search cost while still giving you an experienced chief executive. For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median pay for chief executives at $213,990 a year in May 2025, before bonus, equity, and benefits. Frontline publishes its placement fees on the pricing page, which is still rare in staffing, or you can request a quote scoped to your company.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Fractional CEO vs Interim CEO vs Full-Time CEO: Which Do You Need?
The right model depends on how much executive leadership you need and for how long. Many Frontline clients start with a fractional or interim CEO and convert to full-time once the direction of the business is clear.
| Model | Fractional CEO | Interim CEO | Full-time CEO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time commitment | Fractional CEOPart-time, 40 to 100 hours a month | Interim CEOFull-time, temporary | Full-time CEOFull-time, permanent |
| Typical length | Fractional CEOOngoing, flexible monthly terms | Interim CEO3 to 12 months | Full-time CEOPermanent |
| Cost structure | Fractional CEOMonthly engagement fee | Interim CEOWeekly or monthly rate | Full-time CEOSalary, bonus, equity, benefits, and a one-time search fee |
| Best for | Fractional CEOFounder-led and owner-led companies that need seasoned leadership without full-time cost | Interim CEOSudden vacancies, turnarounds, and transitions | Full-time CEOCompanies ready for a permanent chief executive |
| How Frontline delivers | Fractional CEOA vetted slate of CEOs you choose from | Interim CEOCoverage based on availability and scope | Full-time CEOExecutive search backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty |
CHOOSING A PARTNER
What Should You Look for in a Fractional CEO Firm?
A fractional CEO steps into the top seat of your company, with authority over your leadership team, your budget, and your most important relationships, so the firm that vets that person matters as much as the resume. Before you sign, get clear answers on these points:
How are the CEOs vetted?
Ask who screens them and on what. You want proof of companies they have actually led: the revenue and headcount they were responsible for, the ownership structure they reported to, and the results. A case interview on a real leadership problem, reference calls with former boards, owners, or investors, and a background check should all happen before you meet anyone.
Do you get a choice?
Some firms assign whoever is available. A slate of two or three CEOs lets you judge industry fit, leadership style, and chemistry with your owners and leadership team yourself.
Are authority and decision rights put in writing?
A fractional CEO works best when everyone knows which decisions the CEO makes and which stay with the owner or board. Frontline agrees on the reporting line, authority, and decision rights in writing before the engagement starts.
What happens when you want to hire the CEO full-time?
Find out whether conversion is allowed, what it costs, and what protection comes with it. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, publishes its placement fees on its pricing page, and is rated 5.0 stars across 682 verified Trustpilot reviews.
FOUNDERS AND OWNERS
How Does a Fractional CEO Work With the Founder or Owner?
Roles, authority, and reporting lines are agreed in writing before the engagement starts.
Keeps ownership and the final say on the big decisions, and is free to step back from daily management, focus on what they do best, or prepare the business for what comes next.
Runs the leadership team, sets priorities, and holds people accountable for results.
HOW IT WORKS
How Does Frontline Match You With a Fractional CEO?
Scope the Engagement
A Frontline executive recruiter learns your goals, ownership structure, leadership team, industry, hours, budget, and start date, then sends a written engagement proposal with scope, hours, and rate.
Meet a Vetted CEO Slate
You interview 2 to 3 fractional CEOs from our network, screened on prior executive results, industry fit, leadership style, references from boards or owners, and background, and choose the one who fits.
Start With a Leadership Plan
Your CEO begins by meeting the leadership team, key customers, and stakeholders, then delivers a written leadership plan with priorities, quick wins, and accountability measures, while Frontline handles the engagement agreement, timesheets, and monthly billing.
Review, Replace, or Convert
Monthly account reviews keep the engagement on track. If the fit is wrong, Frontline presents a replacement slate at no added fee, and you can hire your CEO full-time whenever you are ready.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
5.0 Trustpilot Across 682+ Reviews
TRUSTPILOT RANKINGS
OUR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TEAM
Meet the Frontline Executive Search Team
Bill Kasko
Shelly Hubble
Jessica Payne
Lindsey Davidson
Cassidy Jacobs
Mike Cook
Brittany Kasko
Kathy Granger
Rebecca Keathley
Julia Hyun
Euan Gomez
Shankar Ganesh
Joy Lee
Lexi Reed
Melanie West
How Does the 5-Year Placement Warranty Protect Your CEO Hire?
When your fractional CEO becomes a permanent hire, the placement is covered by the Frontline 5-Year Placement Warranty. The industry-standard guarantee is 90 days, so Frontline covers 20 times longer. Learn more about how our warranty works.
FOR CEOS
Are You a CEO Interested in Fractional Work?
Frontline is building a nationwide network of experienced chief executives and general managers who want part-time, interim, and transition engagements with growing companies. Apply once, share your industries, leadership experience, availability, and preferred engagement types, and our executive recruiters will match you with clients. Everything starts online, and all interviews are set by appointment only.
Apply to join the networkFRACTIONAL CEO LOCATIONS
Where Does Frontline Place Fractional CEOs?
Frontline places remote and on-site fractional CEOs nationwide, supported by 32+ local offices across major metros.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What Do Companies Ask Most About Fractional CEO Services?
What is a fractional CEO?
A fractional CEO is an experienced chief executive who leads your company part-time, usually 40 to 100 hours a month, instead of as a full-time employee. The fractional CEO sets strategy, runs the leadership team, and represents the business to owners, boards, lenders, and investors, giving companies seasoned executive leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a fractional CEO cost?
Fractional CEO engagements typically cost $8,000 to $30,000 per month, depending on hours, company size, and complexity. Experienced fractional CEOs usually bill $250 to $500 per hour, and some engagements include a performance or equity component. For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $213,990 a year for chief executives in May 2025. Frontline scopes each engagement on a discovery call and sends a written proposal with no hidden fees. Frontline's placement fees are published at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html.
When should a company hire a fractional CEO?
Hire a fractional CEO when the business needs experienced leadership at the top but a full-time CEO is not the right move yet. Common triggers include a founder or owner stepping back, stalled growth, a sudden CEO departure, preparation for a sale or succession, a private equity portfolio company that needs an operator, and turnarounds.
What is the difference between a fractional CEO and an interim CEO?
A fractional CEO leads part-time on an ongoing basis. An interim CEO works full-time for a set period, usually 3 to 12 months, to cover a vacancy, lead a turnaround, or stabilize the business while a permanent leader is found. Frontline places both.
Can a fractional CEO really run a company part-time?
Yes, when the role is set up correctly. A fractional CEO focuses on the decisions and relationships only a CEO can handle, works through a strong leadership team, and uses a clear meeting rhythm and KPIs to keep the business moving between days on site. Companies that need daily executive presence are better served by an interim or full-time CEO.
Does the owner or founder keep control of the company?
Yes. The owner keeps ownership and final authority on the decisions they choose to reserve. The fractional CEO's authority, reporting line, and decision rights are agreed in writing before the engagement starts.
How many hours does a fractional CEO work, and are they remote or on-site?
Most fractional CEOs work 40 to 100 hours a month, often two or three days a week, and scale up during turnarounds, transactions, or leadership changes. Leadership roles usually benefit from on-site time, so Frontline matches you with a CEO near one of its 32+ offices when needed, or with a remote CEO anywhere in the United States.
How does Frontline vet fractional CEOs?
Every fractional CEO in the Frontline network goes through executive-level screening covering prior CEO or general management results, leadership style, industry experience, and stakeholder management, a case interview on real leadership scenarios, reference checks with prior boards, owners, or investors, credential verification where applicable, and a background check before meeting a client.
Who leads fractional CEO placements at Frontline?
Fractional CEO placements are led by Bill Kasko, Founder, President, and CEO of Frontline Source Group, who specializes in C-suite executive search, and Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, who leads Frontline's executive recruiting team. Their bios are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/bill-kasko-staffing-services.html and frontlinesourcegroup.com/shelly-hubble-staffing-services.html.
Can I hire my fractional CEO full-time?
Yes. You can convert your fractional CEO to a permanent, full-time hire at any point. Frontline handles the transition as a direct hire placement, and the hire is covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, which is 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard. Details are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/5year-placement-guarantee.html.
What happens if the fractional CEO is not the right fit?
Tell your Frontline account manager. Frontline reviews every engagement monthly, and if the fit is not right, Frontline presents a replacement slate of vetted CEOs at no added fee so your business keeps moving.
Why choose Frontline Source Group for a fractional CEO?
Frontline is an executive search firm founded in 2004, so it vets CEOs the way it vets permanent executives, lets you choose from a slate, and lets you hire your CEO full-time with a 5-Year Placement Warranty. Frontline has completed 5,619 placements with a 98.94% executive placement retention rate, holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 682 verified reviews, has been on the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms list for 9 consecutive years, and operates 32+ offices nationwide. To get started, request an executive at frontlinesourcegroup.com/employer-request-form.html.
Ready to Meet Your Fractional CEO?
Talk with a Frontline executive recruiter about your leadership goals, then meet a vetted slate of CEOs matched to your priorities.