Fractional operations partner, fractional COO, consultant or full-time hire
| Role | Mainly does | Builds the systems? | Commitment | Fits best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional operations partner | Diagnoses, builds and runs the operating systems | Yes, with an engineering bench | Part-time, flat monthly plan | The business runs on what is in your head and the systems do not exist yet |
| Fractional COO | Sets operating strategy, manages the leadership team | Usually directs rather than builds | Part-time retainer | You have a team and need executive operating leadership |
| Operations consultant | Advises and recommends | Usually no, the build is left to you | Project-based | You have people who can implement the advice |
| Full-time operations hire | Owns operations day to day | Depends on the person | Full salary and benefits | The seat is full-time and you can recruit, onboard and retain for it |
Signs you need one
- If you had to leave for two weeks and could not be reached, the operation would stop or make costly mistakes.
- Leads move between people without a clear owner, and follow-up depends on memory.
- You cannot see the business without asking someone or pulling a report by hand.
- You have tried to hire for this and it did not work.
- The same firefight returns every month because the root cause was never fixed.
What it looks like in practice
Every engagement runs the same three phases. Diagnose where the money and time leak. Build the fix so it sticks: the CRM, the automations, the dashboards, the SOPs. Then measure it and stay in the seat until the numbers move and your team can run it. The disciplines behind each phase are laid out on the method page.
What it costs
Engagements start with the operations audit, which begins at $2,500 and is priced on the size of the company. Builds are scoped and priced in writing before they start. After the build you can run the system yourselves with the documentation and training we hand over, or keep us in the seat on a flat monthly plan. Everything we build, and every login, belongs to you.