How Much Does a Fractional Executive Cost?

It’s fair. You’re probably comparing options:
Do you hire a full-time CMO?
A freelancer?
Try to patch things together with agency support?
Or maybe, just maybe, work with someone part-time who’s done it before.

So here’s how I think about cost — and more importantly, value — when it comes to fractional executive work.

Why This Question Comes Up So Often

Hiring a full-time executive isn’t just a salary decision. It’s a signal to your company, your team, and even your investors that you’re placing a long-term bet on a person. That can be the right move — but only if the timing, role definition, and support structure are already clear.

Most of the companies I work with are not in that position yet.
They know they need help.
They know the team isn’t operating at its potential.
And they know they can’t afford another six months of drift or indecision.
But hiring a full-timer feels like too big a step — and honestly, too big a risk.

That’s where fractional leadership makes sense:
not as a cheaper version of the real thing — but as a sharper version of what’s actually needed.

My Pricing Model — and Why It’s Built This Way

I keep things straightforward. Every engagement includes:

A Fixed Monthly Retainer

This covers my direct involvement with your business. Some clients want one day a week — a steady cadence to keep leadership focused. Others need 3–4 days, either to reset a growth engine or to manage through a change.

We scope that together, based on real priorities — not a menu of services.

A Sales-Based Success Fee

Especially in commercial roles, I tie part of my compensation to real-world outcomes. If we agree on revenue goals or marketing KPIs, I’ll back that with skin in the game. You win — I win.

A 15% Coordination Fee

If your internal team needs extra support, I bring in specialists — designers, content creators, CRM experts — from my trusted network. You can pay them directly or through me. Either way, I coordinate their involvement and apply a 15% markup to cover the time and accountability I take on. It’s not margin for margin’s sake — it’s what allows us to move faster without the chaos of new vendors every time.

Is It Worth It?

Let me ask you this:
What does it cost to hire the wrong person for a leadership role?
Or worse — what does it cost to not make a decision at all?

I’ve seen companies waste quarters — even years — stuck in this loop:

• Hire a mid-level person who’s overwhelmed
• Bring in an agency that doesn’t challenge you
• Burn through budget without clarity or results

And it’s not because the team lacks talent.
It’s because there’s no one steering.

When you bring me in, you don’t just get a few consulting hours.
You get leadership.
You get someone who plugs into the system, makes the hard calls, and helps your team move — not stall.

I don’t charge by the hour.
I charge to take ownership of the one or two things that matter most — and get them unstuck.

Every Company Is Different

Some clients need one intense quarter to reset their marketing structure.
Others want long-term sparring as they scale.
In every case, I show up with full attention, real perspective, and a clear plan.

The numbers are simple. But what you’re paying for is momentum, focus, and honest leadership.

About Me

I’m Remco Livain — a fractional executive with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, growth, and commercial leadership. I work with teams around the world, helping them build systems that scale and teams that thrive.

I specialize in helping companies through messy in-between phases:
when growth has slowed, priorities are unclear, and the org needs structure — fast.

Let’s Talk

Not sure what level of support you actually need?
Let’s start with a conversation — no slide decks, no fluff.

👉 Connect with Remco Livain on LinkedIn
📅 Schedule a meeting
🌐 Visit my contact page