What is a Fractional CIO?
A fractional CIO provides strategic IT leadership to companies on a part-time basis. Learn more about how to become a fractional CIO and find clients.
May 12th, 2025
A fractional CIO (Chief Information Officer) is an experienced IT executive who provides strategic technology leadership to organizations on a part-time or contract basis. Instead of committing to one company in a full-time role, fractional CIOs have the flexibility to work for different organizations at the same time and make their own schedules.
Fractional CIO meaning
"Fractional" isn't exactly a new term. It actually dates back to 1650, according to Merriam-Webster. In terms of the business world, however, fractional career paths are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the rise of the remote workforce and companies' constantly evolving IT needs. As Foundry reported, 82% of CIOs are more involved in leading digital transformation initiatives than other business leaders.
So, what does the rise of fractional work mean for seasoned executives, especially those with years of experience under their belts? For formerly full-time executives, fractional can mean freedom: the freedom to choose your own client list, set project rates or monthly retainers, and build a diverse portfolio of work. Meanwhile, for organizations in need of tech leadership, fractional CIOs are an accessible, cost-effective solution, providing on-demand services to help them meet their goals.
- Program Management
- Creativity and Innovation
- Program Development
- Compliance
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What qualifications does a fractional CIO need?
Many fractional CIOs aren't new to the executive IT world. In fact, they should have at least 10 years of experience in leadership positions, proving their ability to develop strategic initiatives and fuel business growth.
Diving in further, fractional CIOs should have a mix of the following:
- Educational accomplishments: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field like computer science, information technology, or engineering; and an advanced degree like an MBA or master's in information systems.
- On-the-job experience: At least 15-20 years of IT experience and 10 years in senior IT leadership roles like IT director or VP of engineering.
- Certifications: Achievements like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certification.
- Skills: Strategic thinking, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and technical skills, backed by proven accomplishments in past roles.
How can I become a fractional CIO?
Becoming a fractional CIO is a strategic career move. It's best suited for experienced IT leaders who want to break free of the full-time grind and provide high-impact leadership on a flexible, part-time basis.
Interested in trying it for yourself? Use these tips to start your fractional journey:
- Build a targeted portfolio: Pull together documentation and case studies of your biggest IT initiatives to show how you can make a measured impact.
- Establish yourself as a thought leader: Publish articles on your blog or third-party publications and take the opportunity to speak at industry events, sharing your specific knowledge and point of view.
- Define your fractional structure: Consider how many organizations you want to work with and set competitive pricing by hour, project, or monthly retainer.
- Market your services: Determine your big value offer and set up a professional website and LinkedIn page to showcase your expertise. Also, leverage your network for word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals.
How many hours does a fractional CIO work?
Fractional work hours are flexible, but they can typically range from as little as 10 hours per month to 20 hours per week for each client. Of course, the exact number of hours can vary based on each company's needs and each CIO's services.
For example, CIOs might decide to work 30-40 hours per week but scale back as they see fit or make themselves available for extra hours if a client is in the middle of a critical project. The good news is that fractional CIOs can set their own terms and make the choices that make most sense for their work-life balance.
- Information Security
- Server Architecture
- IT Infrastructure Management
- Business Continuity Planning
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What kinds of companies need fractional CIOs?
Companies of all industries and sizes can benefit from hiring a fractional CIO---especially if they need rapid and high-impact IT leadership. As Foundry reported, 81% of CIOs say their role is shifting to a changemaker, increasingly leading business and IT initiatives.
More specifically, here's a look at why different types of companies might start seeking fractional help:
- Startups and small businesses: These organizations might have limited budgets and changing needs. Instead of investing in full-time employees, they can hire fractional talent to provide strategic guidance as they scale.
- Mid-size companies: As these businesses grow, fractional CIOs can help with digital transformation, IT strategy, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Companies navigating change: They might need high-level leaders to help manage rapid growth or big organizational shifts, and keep tech systems aligned with overall goals.
- Organizations with seasonal IT demands: These businesses can scale fractional CIO engagement up or down as they need it, making the most of their resources and IT budgets.
- Businesses in regulated industries: Firms with complex compliance or cybersecurity requirements, like healthcare or finance companies, can tap fractional CIOs for specialized guidance.
How much do fractional CIOs earn?
Fractional CIOs have the opportunity to earn competitive hourly, project, and retainer rates based on their experience and services. Especially with so many organizations struggling to navigate the future of AI, implement new technologies, and mitigate cybersecurity risks, the role of CIO is more important than ever. As Foundry reported, 65% of organizations expect their IT budgets to increase in 2025---a jump from 54% in 2024.
The question is, when it comes to a fractional business model, how can CIOs charge for their services? Again, that's largely up to them and their clients' needs. For example, fractional CIOs might charge a set amount to complete an IT initiative within a certain time frame. Or some fractional CIOs might establish monthly retainers and commit a certain number of days or hours per month to working with their client.
Through Go Fractional, we find that fractional CIOs charge, on average:
- $200-300 per hour
- $1,000-6,000 per week
- $4,500-20,000 per month
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- Cloud Computing
- ITIL
- Project Portfolio Management
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How can I find fractional CIO jobs?
Once you opt for a fractional setup, you shouldn't have to carve hours out of your week to find new clients. No more refreshing your inbox and endlessly scrolling through your LinkedIn feed. Instead, you can use an executive recruitment platform like Go Fractional to promote your services and match with the right companies.
Here's how it works:
- Apply to become a member of the Go Fractional Talent Network.
- Set up a portfolio detailing your CIO experience, relevant skills, and provided services.
- Go Fractional will connect you with the right clients in need of IT leadership.
- We'll handle the proposals, contracts, and invoicing, so you can focus on what you do best. (Not saying you're not great at contracts and invoicing!)
- Join a community of fractional colleagues to share tips and tactics as you grow your business.
- Continue building this next stage of your career---on your terms.
How can I find a fractional CIO for my company?
Fractional CIOs can be game-changing solutions for companies at any growth stage. Maybe you're between full-time CIOs and looking for immediate guidance. You might be seeking high-level leadership but without the full-time price tag. Or you might be scaling rapidly and looking for an experienced executive to manage your infrastructure.
Whatever your IT goals, Go Fractional makes it easy to find the right executive talent---in as little as three days. Built specifically to connect companies with fractional leaders, we'll help your source the most qualified candidates and handle the paperwork. So you can bring your new CIO on board quickly and start seeing measurable results.
Ready to find your next IT leader? Browse our pre-vetted fractional CIOs.
