Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Accelerate growth with expert marketing leadership. Drive ROI, build brand equity and dominate your market.
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Strategic Marketing Leadership for Growing Startups

In today's hyper-competitive business landscape, a robust marketing strategy is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. However, many startups and growing companies find themselves at a crossroads: they need top-tier marketing leadership to stand out, but can't justify the expense of a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This is where our Fractional CMO services bridge the gap, offering a game-changing solution that combines senior-level expertise with cost-effective flexibility.

Key Responsibilities of Our Fractional CMOs

Our experienced Fractional CMOs take on a wide range of critical marketing responsibilities:
Here are some key responsibilities:

  • Develop comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with business objectives
  • Lead and mentor marketing teams to achieve peak performance
  • Create and execute data-driven campaigns across multiple channels
  • Optimise marketing budgets and resource allocation
  • Analyse market trends and competitor strategies
  • Establish brand positioning and messagingImplement marketing analytics and reporting frameworks
  • Spearhead advertising and marketing efforts
  • Develop content marketing strategies
  • Guide adoption of new marketing technologies

The Power of Strategic Marketing Leadership

A Fractional CMO brings more than just marketing know-how; they deliver a comprehensive vision that aligns your marketing efforts with your business objectives. Our seasoned marketing executives offer:

  • Data-Driven Strategy Development: Leverage advanced analytics and market insights to craft marketing strategies that deliver measurable results.
  • Brand Positioning and Messaging Refinement: Cut through the noise and establish a compelling brand presence.
  • Performance Marketing and ROI Optimisation: Maximise the impact of every marketing dollar spent.
  • Digital Transformation and MarTech Integration: Stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge marketing technologies.
  • Team Leadership and Skill Development: Elevate your existing marketing team's capabilities.

By engaging one of Shepherd' vetted Fractional CMOs, you're not just hiring a marketing consultant – you're partnering with a strategic leader who can transform your marketing function into a growth engine. Whether you're looking to launch a new product, enter new markets, or revitalise your brand, our Fractional CMOs bring the expertise and experience needed to drive tangible results.

The Benefits of Engaging a Fractional CMO

  • Data-Driven Strategy Development: By hiring a Fractional CMO, you gain access to senior-level marketing expertise without the financial burden of a full-time executive salary and benefits package. This cost-effective solution allows you to allocate your budget more efficiently across other areas of your business.
  • Flexible Engagement: Fractional CMO services offer unparalleled flexibility. Whether you need strategic guidance for a few hours a week or more intensive support for a specific project, the engagement can be tailored to your unique needs and scaled as your business grows.
  • Fresh Perspectives and Innovative Strategies: Fractional CMOs bring diverse experience from working across multiple industries and companies. This breadth of knowledge allows them to introduce innovative marketing strategies and fresh perspectives that can give your business a competitive edge.
  • Immediate Impact: Unlike full-time hires who may require months to acclimate, Fractional CMOs are adept at quickly assessing your marketing needs and implementing effective strategies. Their experience allows them to hit the ground running, driving results from day one.

Who Can Benefit from Fractional CMO Services?

Shepherd's Fractional CMOs can help address the unique marketing challenges faced by tech startups across various growth stages.

Early-stage

  • Startups validating their business idea and developing an MVP
  • Companies struggling with initial market entry and brand positioning
  • Founders needing guidance on cost-effective marketing strategies to conserve limited funds

Growth-stage

  • Startups looking to scale their marketing efforts after achieving product-market fit
  • Companies facing challenges in lead generation and conversion rate optimisation
  • Businesses needing help with marketing automation and process scaling

Expansion-Stage

  • Tech companies entering new markets or launching new products
  • Startups requiring assistance with international marketing strategies
  • Businesses looking to optimise their marketing tech stack for growth

Established

  • Companies seeking fresh perspectives on their marketing strategies
  • Businesses facing increased competition and needing to differentiate
  • Tech firms looking to revitalise their brand or explore new marketing channels

By offering flexible, expert marketing leadership, Shepherd's Fractional CMOs can help tech startups navigate the complex challenges of each growth phase, from initial market validation to sustained expansion and beyond.

Why Shepherd?

We speak startup

Shepherd's curated network of 150+ fractional leaders aren't your typical leaders, they thrive in the scrappy nature of startups. They're resourceful. They own outcomes and dive deep into the nitty-gritty alongside you.

Swipe their playbook

Imagine having access to the playbooks used to drive the go-to-market success of some of the leading tech companies. No more second-guessing whether you're doing it right. Leverage their experience to scale growth.

Bang for your buck

Tap into a diverse experience and skillset tailored to your evolving business needs—all at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. You get 100% brainpower without breaking your bank.

Super flexible terms

No long-term contract and fancy offices required. Start with a day or two a week, for as long as you need. Scale up or down your team as you grow, or even assemble an A-team for special projects.

Rapid deployment

You've already got enough on your plate —don't waste time sourcing and interviewing candidates. Get matched with experienced fractional operators in days, not months.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Still have questions?
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How often will the Fractional CMO be available?
Availability varies based on your needs, typically ranging from 10 to 20 hours per week.
Can a Fractional CMO help with specific marketing projects?
Yes, our CMOs can focus on specific initiatives or provide comprehensive marketing leadership.
What are the typical pricing models for a Fractional CMO?
We offer three flexible pricing structures to suit different needs:
  • Daily rate: This option is ideal for clients who need intensive, focused work on specific days.
  • Monthly retainer: Usually between AUD 4,600 to AUD 8,000 per month, this option provides ongoing strategic support and leadership.
  • Project-based: For specific marketing initiatives or transformations, your fractional CMO can provide a custom quote based on the scope and duration of the project.
Pricing can be customised based on the scope of work and your specific needs. We're committed to providing value and will work with you to find the most suitable arrangement for your business.
What engagement models are available for Fractional CMOs?
Common engagement models include:
  • Part-time, flexible engagement: Ideal for ongoing strategic support.
  • Full-time, fixed engagement: Typically for 6 to 9 months, suited for time-sensitive challenges.
  • Project-based: For specific marketing initiatives or transformations.
How long does a typical Fractional CMO engagement last?
Engagements can range from 3 months to over a year, depending on your company's needs and goals. Shepherd's fractional engagement model is flexible and can adjust the duration as your requirements evolve.
Do fractional leaders have other jobs?
Yes — most of our fractional leaders work with multiple clients. The breadth and depth of their experience is what makes them a compelling option for a startup wanting to get from A to B quickly.

Many in our network have left the 9-5 grind to intentionally work in the startup ecosystem as an independent consultant, freelance exec, and advisor. Some are also exited founders.

This means they understand the importance of prioritisation and speed-to-value, rather than getting sucked into the bureaucracy and company politicking.

Their ultimate goal is to help startups succeed, and to eventually replace themselves with someone who can take the reins, in-house.
How is Shepherd different to other talent recruitment platforms and agencies?
We're about helping you find the best fractional leader in days, not months.

Shepherd delivers a video-first matchmaking experience, enabling you to find the right match asynchronously.

We vet and meet all of the fractional leaders to ensure we can match you with the best of the best. They are all former Director+ level leaders with track records of helping startups achieve great outcomes from scratch.

No generic freelancers here —just experienced operators with passion for startups, ready to roll up their sleeves, dive deep, and make a real impact.

Shepherd is not suited for task-oriented projects with set deliverables and milestones (you've got Upwork or Expert360 for that).
Can I pause and stop at any time?
Yes — just give us 2 weeks' notice.  
What's the catch?
Nope — it's free to get started.

Let's smash goals together.

Ready to drive velocity?

Great — let's get to work.
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