Why Fractional Marketing Directors Work
Low risk
We operate on a rolling 4-week contract with no upfront fees
Cost-effective
No recruitment fees and a transparent daily rate agreed in advance
Extremely agile
Start with one day per week & then scale up or down as needed
The business landscape in 2025: challenges and pressures
As we move through 2025, all businesses are already facing an increasingly complex set of challenges. Rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, and an ongoing skills shortage mean that organisations must be more strategic than ever with their resources. Marketing, a critical driver of growth, is no exception. Yet, hiring full-time senior marketing experts is costly, time-consuming, and often unnecessary for many businesses that need leadership without the full-time overhead.
This is where Fractional Marketing Directors come in.
What is a Fractional Marketing Director?
A Fractional Marketing Director is an experienced senior marketer who works with a business, typically one day per week. They provide strategic leadership, oversee marketing efforts, and drive business growth without the commitment of a full-time hire. This model is particularly beneficial for SMEs, scale-ups, and businesses undergoing transformation that need expert guidance but don’t require (or can’t justify) a full-time role.
How a Fractional Marketing Director operates like a full-time employee
A Fractional Marketing Director integrates deeply into the business despite working only a few days per month. They become part of the leadership team, set the marketing strategy, manage execution, and deliver measurable results—just like a full-time director.
Many businesses find that, with the right structure and communication, they can gain the same strategic input and leadership as a permanent hire but with greater flexibility and efficiency.
Faster, more cost-effective recruitment
Hiring a full-time Marketing Director can easily take 3 to 6 months. The recruitment process involves weeks of management time, and recruitment fees alone can cost up to 30% of the initial annual salary. Onboarding, training, and potential mishires only add to the cost and risk. By contrast, bringing in a Fractional Marketing Director is quick and seamless. Businesses can benefit from senior marketing expertise within days, not months, without the hefty recruitment fees and extended hiring processes.
Lower risk, more agility
Unlike permanent hires, Fractional Marketing Directors typically work on a rolling 4-week contract. This means businesses can scale up or down as needed without long-term commitments. If circumstances change or a different skill set is required, companies can adapt quickly—something impossible with a full-time hire locked into a lengthy contract.