Fractional CMO services for real business growth

Discover a smarter way to drive business growth with our expert Fractional CMO services.

The Marketing Centre connects you with world-class marketing leaders who bring strategic vision, proven experience, and a flexible approach to drive real growth for your business – all at a fraction of the cost of a full-time marketing director.

A fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) offers businesses flexible, part-time access to senior-level marketing expertise at a fraction of the cost. As an alternative to marketing consultants and agencies, a fractional CMO delivers strategic marketing leadership from strategy creation to implementation, helping you achieve your business goals.

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Does my business
need a Fractional CMO?

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Does your business lack a strategy with no clear marketing direction, just "random acts of marketing"?

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Is your marketing spend not delivering measurable ROI?

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Are experienced senior marketing directors currently out of budget?

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Are you finding it difficult to find strategic thinkers, growth drivers, and experienced marketers that align with your business goals?

The benefits of choosing a Fractional CMO

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Work with high-level marketing leadership without the full-time cost.

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Get marketing expertise on a flexible, part-time basis.

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Align marketing strategies with business goals to drive sustainable growth.

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Build, mentor, and lead your marketing team for long-term success.

Why choose
The Marketing Centre?

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Trusted by over 1,400 UK small and mid-market business leaders.

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Work with one of our 100 experienced Marketing Directors, who have previously managed accounts across a diverse range of sectors including telecommunications, health and technology. 

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Decades of experience managing marketing budgets for optimal ROI.

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Consistently delivering marketing results that drive real growth.

Ready to make a start?

Get in touch with us today to transform your business with our Fractional CMO services. 

Let's get started

A Proven Approach

Our Fractional Marketing Directors bring frameworks and tools to translate your business goals into impactful marketing activities. Their hands-on knowledge and expertise enable them to identify the most effective methods to help your business achieve its growth targets.

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Define

Find potential customers that match your product or service through strategic market research and craft a compelling USP. Your Fractional CMO will leverage cross-industry insights to help you define your ideal customer and make your business stand out from the competition. 

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Find

Target customers based on their behaviour and habits with audience segmentation and high-ROI strategies. Your fractional chief marketing officer will guide your marketing team in mapping the customer journey, choosing the best marketing channels, and crafting tailored campaigns that resonate.

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Win

Convert prospects into loyal customers with optimised sales funnels and high-impact content strategies. Your Fractional CMO will refine your lead nurturing process, streamline sales enablement, and implement marketing solutions for seamless conversions.

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Keep

Minimise loss and maximise customer lifetime value with proactive retention strategies. Your Fractional CMO will analyse churn data and build impactful retention strategies to keep your customers engaged.

What our clients say

Hear from business leaders who transformed their marketing with a Fractional CMO.
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“Working with The Marketing Centre has definitely transformed our business. The added value that they are giving me is way above the marketing director I could afford to have.”
Mark Radley

Managing Director, Radleys

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“Our part-time Marketing Director, Mark, got to grips with our business and our ambitions for growth quickly, helping us build our brand and develop a marketing strategy that realised positive results for the business. We have been delighted with all of Mark’s work and support.”
Simon Lee MBE

Ex-Chief Executive Officer, CSSC

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“I used to think of marketing as a cost to the business. But when you weigh the cost against the number of leads and the number of orders you wouldn’t have had, the cost doesn’t come into it.”
Michele Dematteis

CEO, Joloda Hydraroll

Success stories

See how our Fractional CMO services have helped businesses achieve real growth.

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Barker Associates: driving 58% organic increase in prospects

The Marketing Centre helped Barker Associates to make data-driven marketing decisions to support...

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Marketing strategy meeting with client, MESTEC.

How we helped empower MESTEC to achieve 40% growth in ...

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Eizo: Transforming Marketing for Success: A Mentorship and Strategy Journey

Eizo: Transforming Marketing for Success: A Mentorship and ...

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Kosnic: How using a Fractional Marketing Director helped ...

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Comparison guide

Fractional CMO vs. Full-Time CMO

  • Offers a wealth of experience and support for a fraction of the cost of a full-time director.

  • Part-time, flexible contracts vs. full-time, permanent hiring

  • We only select the best marketing directors – gain access to a network of marketing specialists vs. reliance on a single marketeer.

Fractional CMO vs. Agency

  • Your Fractional CMO will become an integrated member of your team.

  • Direct collaboration with a dedicated fractional marketing director vs. multiple agency account managers.

  • Fractional CMO services offer strategies and leadership whereas agencies may provide more standardised solutions.

Fractional CMO vs. Marketing Consultant

  • Fractional CMO services provide hands-on marketing expertise, whereas consultants may only deliver strategic advice without implementation.

  • Fractional CMOs provide ongoing strategic leadership while consultants may only offer short-term solutions.

  • Dedicated and flexible marketing leader vs. short-term, ad hoc consultation.

The Marketing Centre Fractional CMO vs. Freelance CMO

  • Our Fractional CMOs are rigorously selected for their skills, experience, and cultural fit with SME leaders.
  • Access to a network of over 100 CMOs to share insights, strategic support, and contacts, always ensuring you receive innovative and effective marketing strategies.
  • Fractional CMOs are committed to accountability and flexibility, ensuring measurable business growth.

FAQs

What is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO, also known as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer, is a part-time, outsourced marketing executive who provides strategic marketing leadership to businesses without the full-time commitment and cost of an in-house CMO.

Why hire a Fractional CMO?

Hiring a fractional CMO offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides access to high-level marketing expertise without the full-time cost commitment. Fractional CMOs often have extensive experience and can offer strategic guidance and leadership to your marketing team. They can help identify growth opportunities, develop effective marketing strategies, and oversee the implementation of campaigns. Additionally, they can bring an objective perspective to your business, helping you to make informed decisions. This can be particularly valuable for businesses that may not have the resources or need for a full-time CMO.

What does a contract with a Fractional CMO look like?

This will be dependent on your business needs, it could be a few months to provide marketing leadership in preparation or a big project launch, to an ongoing relationship. The Marketing Centre provides flexible contracts that can be cancelled anytime, no questions asked.

How many hours does a fractional CMO work?

The number of hours a fractional CMO works can vary depending on the specific needs of the business they are working with. However, it is generally accepted that a fractional CMO will work between 10 and 20 hours per week.  

Some fractional CMOs may work fewer hours per week, while others may work more. The exact number of hours will depend on the scope of the project, the size of the business, and the specific needs of the client.  

It is important to note that fractional CMOs are typically paid on an hourly basis. This means that the client will only pay for the hours that the CMO actually works. This can be a more cost-effective option for businesses that do not need a full-time CMO.

How much does a Fractional CMO cost?

The cost of a fractional marketing director varies based on their experience, location, and the scope of services needed. However, it's crucial to consider the potential ROI and the value they bring to your business, not just the upfront cost. To learn more about how a fractional marketing director can elevate your business, contact us today for a free consultation.

How do I find a Fractional CMO?

Finding a Fractional CMO involves identifying experienced marketing leaders who can seamlessly integrate into your business on a part-time basis. Look for professionals with a proven track record of driving growth, aligning marketing strategies with business goals, and delivering measurable results. The Marketing Centre provides access to senior-level CMOs with proven expertise across various industries gained over many years across companies of all sizes.

Why chose The Marketing Centre?

The Marketing Centre specialises in providing seasoned CMOs who become embedded in your business, delivering strategic and hands-on support. Since 2010, they’ve helped over 1,400 businesses achieve significant growth by aligning marketing efforts with overarching business objectives. Their Fractional CMOs are highly skilled in developing and implementing strategies that drive ROI, offering a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time CMO.
 

Why choose a Fractional CMO over other marketing professionals?

A Fractional CMO offers the strategic oversight and leadership of a full-time senior marketing leader at a fraction of the cost. Unlike junior marketers or agencies, Fractional CMOs lead, plan, and execute strategies while being flexible enough to scale their efforts based on your needs. This approach is particularly effective for businesses needing high-level expertise without the commitment of a permanent hire.
 

What industries does The Marketing Centre work with?

The Marketing Centre serves businesses across a wide array of industries, including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, professional services, retail, and more. Their CMOs bring expertise tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities within each sector.

 

What are the benefits of hiring a Fractional CMO?

Hiring a Fractional CMO offers several advantages:

  • Cost-effective: Fractional CMOs typically charge by the hour or project, making them significantly more affordable than hiring a full-time CMO. You only pay for the expertise you need, when you need it.
  • Flexibility: Fractional CMOs can be hired on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on your specific needs. This flexibility allows you to scale your marketing efforts up or down as needed.
  • High-level expertise: Fractional CMOs often have extensive experience working with various businesses and industries. They can provide strategic guidance and hands-on support to help you achieve your marketing goals.
  • Objectivity: Fractional CMOs bring an outside perspective to your business. They can identify areas for improvement and provide unbiased recommendations.
  • Access to a wider network: Fractional CMOs often have a vast network of contacts in the marketing industry. This can be beneficial for sourcing talent, securing partnerships, and staying up-to-date on the latest trends.
  • Reduced risk: Hiring a Fractional CMO allows you to test the waters before making a long-term commitment. If the arrangement doesn't work out, you can easily switch to another provider.

Ready to take your
marketing seriously?

Get in touch with us today to transform your business with our Fractional CMO services. 
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