Fractional CTO
Locus Consulting provides seasoned technology executives who integrate into your organization with the depth and commitment your stage requires — from a few strategic hours per week to full-time interim leadership.
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Engagement Options
Virtual
1–4 hours per week of strategic advisory, roadmap guidance, and executive alignment.
Fractional
1–4 days per week of hands-on technical leadership embedded with your team.
Interim
Full-time (5 days/week) CTO coverage on a quarterly basis for transitions or critical growth phases.
When to Engage a Fractional CTO
Engage a fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO) when you need executive technology leadership without committing to a full-time hire — before a fundraising round, during technical due diligence, when scaling an engineering team, or when your technical strategy needs an outside, senior perspective.
- A named executive who sets and owns technical strategy, not just advises on it.
- Direct engagement with your engineering team, from architecture reviews to hiring decisions.
- Flexible commitment — Virtual, Fractional, or Interim — that scales with your stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should a Company Engage a Fractional CTO?
Common triggers are pre-funding technical due diligence, scaling an engineering team past its current leadership capacity, a technical strategy gap at the executive table, or a leadership transition that needs interim coverage.
What's the Difference Between Virtual, Fractional, and Interim CTO Engagement?
Virtual is 1–4 hours per week of strategic advisory. Fractional is 1–4 days per week of hands-on technical leadership embedded with your team. Interim is full-time (5 days/week) CTO coverage on a quarterly basis for transitions or critical growth phases.
Does a Fractional CTO Replace My Engineering Manager?
No — a fractional CTO sets and owns technical strategy and executive-level decisions. Day-to-day engineering management can stay with your existing team leads, or Locus can help you build that layer.
How Quickly Can a Fractional CTO Engagement Start?
Engagements typically begin within one to two weeks of an initial conversation, scoped to the level of involvement — Virtual, Fractional, or Interim — your stage requires.
What Size of Company Benefits Most From a Fractional CTO?
Early-stage and growth-stage companies that need executive technology leadership but aren't ready for, or don't yet need, a full-time CTO hire.