Fractional COO & Part-Time Operations Director

Q: What is a fractional COO?

A fractional COO is an experienced Chief Operating Officer who works with a business part time on an ongoing basis. They take ownership of how the business runs, from processes and systems to structure and delivery.

Q: How many days a week does a fractional COO work?

Most work one to three days a week, with more time during an integration or systems change. The commitment is agreed at the start and reviewed as the business grows.

Q: Is a fractional COO right for a founder-led business?

Often, yes. Many founders bring in a fractional COO so they can step back from day-to-day operations and focus on growth, customers and investors.

Q: When should a business move to a full-time COO?

Usually when the scale or complexity of the operation needs senior attention every day. Many businesses reach that point after an acquisition, a second site or a sharp rise in headcount.

Fractional COO Executive Search

Growth often outpaces the way a business is run.

The founder is still the person everyone goes to for decisions. Processes that worked for a team of twenty no longer work for a team of eighty. Customers notice when delivery slips, and the leadership team spends its time fixing problems rather than preventing them.

A fractional COO brings senior operational experience into the business part time, often one to three days a week. They build the systems, structure and team the business needs for its next stage, and free the founder or CEO to focus on growth.

Novo finds fractional COOs and Operations Directors who have scaled businesses before, in sectors from technology and professional services to manufacturing and logistics.

Considering other fractional roles? Read our overview of fractional leadership.

Operations Leadership Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Considering a fractional COO?

Tell us how the business is growing and where operations are holding it back.

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Email now

Operations Leadership Specialist

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Considering a fractional COO?

Tell us how the business is growing and where operations are holding it back.

Call now

Email now

Operational leadership without a full-time appointment

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Discuss a Fractional COO

What a Fractional COO Does

A fractional COO takes ownership of how the business runs.

Typical responsibilities include:

Building processes, systems and reporting
Designing the organisation structure
Improving delivery, quality and customer experience

Leading operational change and integration
Coaching the next layer of managers
Preparing operations for investment or due diligence

Most work one to three days a week, with more time during a major change and less once the operation is running well.

When a Fractional COO Makes Sense

Common situations include:

A founder-led business is scaling quickly
The CEO is spending too much time on day-to-day operations
Investment has raised expectations for delivery

Two businesses or teams need bringing together
Systems and processes have not kept pace with growth
The business needs senior operational experience before it can justify a full-time COO

Fractional COO or Interim COO?

Both bring senior operational leadership. The difference is commitment and purpose.

A fractional COO works part time on an ongoing basis. This suits growing businesses that need to build how they operate.

An interim COO works full time for a defined period. This suits turnarounds, site recovery and integration work, where the operation needs daily senior attention.

For a permanent appointment, see our Operations Director and COO recruitment page.

Testimonials

The interim MD provided by Novo was thoughtful, steady and highly effective. They handled a sensitive restructuring process with empathy and discipline, helping us stabilise performance while rebuilding trust across the organisation.

Interim Managing Director, Engineering & Manufacturing Business

“Novo was very professional as a Search and Selection specialist, helping support me through securing a great new position. He was very well informed about the organisation, answered all my questions and kept me up to date with progress throughout.”

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Novo ran a highly professional and thorough search process, bringing forward an impressive list of candidates for our consideration

RECCo

Novo were recently retained to recruit an HR Director for Jaywing The targeted search assignment engaged with a very strong shortlist of candidates based in the North and East Midlands resulting in the successful appointment.

Jaywing

We were delighted with Novo’s work and efforts. Theye significantly contributed to achieving our goal. We therefore would have no hesitation in recommending Novo to any other organisation looking for help or advice in executive recruitment.

Chiorino UK Ltd

Novo’s experienced Food and Drink search practice did a wonderful research job on these assignments, and we look forward to Novo helping Framptons with further projects in the future.

Framptons

How We Find Fractional COOs and Operations Directors

Strong fractional COOs have usually run operations at a larger scale before, and they choose their clients carefully. Reaching them takes direct, researched approaches.

Brief: We agree the stage of the business, the operational priorities and the number of days the role needs.

Search: We identify fractional operations leaders with relevant sector and scaling experience through our research team and established networks.

Fit: We assess how each candidate will work alongside the founder or CEO, as well as their record of delivery.

Review: We review the arrangement with you as the operation matures, and help plan the move to a full-time COO when the time comes.

Our Operations Leadership Specialists

George Woodward

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Jon Hollier

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Dale Perrett

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Matthew Searle

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Fractional COO & Operations Director

Fractional COO Executive Search

Considering a fractional COO?

Considering a fractional COO?

Operational leadership without a full-time appointment

What a Fractional COO Does

When a Fractional COO Makes Sense

Fractional COO or Interim COO?

Testimonials

The interim MD provided by Novo was thoughtful, steady and highly effective. They handled a sensitive restructuring process with empathy and discipline, helping us stabilise performance while rebuilding trust across the organisation.

“Novo was very professional as a Search and Selection specialist, helping support me through securing a great new position. He was very well informed about the organisation, answered all my questions and kept me up to date with progress throughout.”

Novo ran a highly professional and thorough search process, bringing forward an impressive list of candidates for our consideration

Novo were recently retained to recruit an HR Director for Jaywing The targeted search assignment engaged with a very strong shortlist of candidates based in the North and East Midlands resulting in the successful appointment.

We were delighted with Novo’s work and efforts. Theye significantly contributed to achieving our goal. We therefore would have no hesitation in recommending Novo to any other organisation looking for help or advice in executive recruitment.

Novo’s experienced Food and Drink search practice did a wonderful research job on these assignments, and we look forward to Novo helping Framptons with further projects in the future.

How We Find Fractional COOs and Operations Directors

Our Operations Leadership Specialists

Matthew Searle

Dale Perrett

George Woodward

Jon Hollier

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Interim Engineering Director Brings Clear Accountability at Energy Power Resources

Interim Director of Stakeholder Engagement Strengthens Industry Communication at RECCo

Interim Commercial Director Keeps Customer Relationships on Track at apetito

Appointing an Interim HR Director to Steady an International Hospitality Group

Appointing an Interim CMO to Focus Marketing Leadership at Touchstone Education

Stable Interim Leadership for CSET in the Education Trust Sector

Interim Managing Director Keeps Priorities on Track at Alumasc Water Management Solutions

Interim Managing Director Gives the Business Behind Vantablack Clear Direction

Interim General Manager Appointment Maintains Momentum at CELOX Medical

Strong Finance Leadership for Welsh Dairy Co-operative South Caernarfon Creameries

Interim HR Director Brings Stability to the People Function at Southern Co-op

Interim Finance Director Appointment Brings Experienced Oversight to Apogee in Paris

Appointing an Interim R&D Director to Keep Product Development on Track at Magstim

Appointing an Interim COO to Stabilise and Scale a High-Growth Software Business

Strengthening a Biotech Business for IPO Through Interim CFO Leadership

Appointing an Interim MD to Stabilise and Restructure an Engineering & Manufacturing Business

Stabilising Operations at a Critical Moment: Interim Leadership for a Major International Airport

Ready to strengthen how your business runs?

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