Is a Head of Growth the same as a Chief Growth Officer (CGO)?

Largely yes. The titles are used interchangeably; Chief Growth Officer signals a more senior, executive framing, but both own cross-functional growth across product, marketing, and lifecycle.

What is the difference between a CGO and a CRO?

A CGO owns the full growth engine, including product-led and lifecycle growth. A CRO owns revenue specifically — sales, marketing, and customer-success alignment — and is measured on ARR and quota attainment.

Head of Growth vs CMO — which do I need?

Hire a fractional Head of Growth when you need cross-functional growth experimentation across product and marketing, often pre-Series-A. Hire a fractional CMO when you have product-market fit and need to scale the marketing function.

How much does a fractional head of growth cost?

Typically $8,000–$20,000 per month for 10–20 hours a week — far less than a full-time Head of Growth, who can cost $200,000+ per year in salary plus equity.

When should a startup hire a fractional head of growth?

When you have early traction and need someone to own and systematize growth but can't yet justify a full-time executive — often between pre-seed and Series A.

Is a Head of Growth the same as a Chief Growth Officer (CGO)?

Largely yes. The titles are used interchangeably; Chief Growth Officer signals a more senior, executive framing, but both own cross-functional growth across product, marketing, and lifecycle.

What is the difference between a CGO and a CRO?

A CGO owns the full growth engine, including product-led and lifecycle growth. A CRO owns revenue specifically — sales, marketing, and customer-success alignment — and is measured on ARR and quota attainment.

Head of Growth vs CMO — which do I need?

Hire a fractional Head of Growth when you need cross-functional growth experimentation across product and marketing, often pre-Series-A. Hire a fractional CMO when you have product-market fit and need to scale the marketing function.

How much does a fractional head of growth cost?

Typically $8,000–$20,000 per month for 10–20 hours a week — far less than a full-time Head of Growth, who can cost $200,000+ per year in salary plus equity.

When should a startup hire a fractional head of growth?

When you have early traction and need someone to own and systematize growth but can't yet justify a full-time executive — often between pre-seed and Series A.

Fractional Head of Growth

How to Hire a Fractional Head of Growth

Everything you need to know about finding, vetting, and working with a fractional Head of Growth.

$4,000-10,000/month
10-20 hours/week flexible
Founder-vetted

Find Your Fractional Head of Growth See Pricing

The engagement

Typical retainer: $4,000–$10,000/mo
Commitment: 10–20 h / wk
Time to start: Days, not months
Focus: Industry Expertise

Indicative ranges. You set the rate and terms directly with the operator.

The process

5 Steps to Hire a Fractional Head of Growth

Define Your Needs

Identify what specific Head of Growth functions you need help with. Common needs include operational scaling, process optimization, team alignment, KPI development.

Determine Hours & Budget

Most fractional Head of Growths work 10-20 hours per week. Budget $4,000 - $10,000/month.

Evaluate Candidates

Look for industry experience, relevant stage expertise, and cultural fit. Ask for references from similar-sized companies.

Structure the Engagement

Define deliverables, meeting cadence, and communication expectations. Most engagements start with a 3-month minimum.

Onboard Effectively

Provide access to key systems, introduce to stakeholders, and align on priorities for the first 30-60 days.

Signals

What to Look For (and Avoid)

Green Flags

Proven track record with similar companies
Clear references from past fractional work
Defined approach and methodology
Transparent about time commitment
Asks probing questions about your business
Comfortable working with founders and teams

Red Flags

No experience with companies at your stage
Can't provide references from similar engagements
Overpromises or guarantees specific outcomes
Lack of clear communication about availability
No defined methodology or approach
Resistance to working with your existing team

Interview

Interview Questions to Ask

What similar companies have you worked with as a fractional executive?

How do you typically structure your time across multiple clients?

What does your ideal engagement look like in terms of hours and duration?

How do you measure success in a fractional engagement?

What's your approach to onboarding with a new company?

Browse Vetted Head of Growths

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about hiring a fractional Head of Growth for your industry.

A fractional Head of Growth is a part-time senior growth leader who owns a company's end-to-end growth engine — aligning product, marketing, and lifecycle around one strategy — usually for 10–20 hours a week.

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Get matched with a vetted fractional Head of Growth who has your industry expertise.

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No commitment required. Free consultation.

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Related Resources

How to Hire a Fractional Head of Growth Fractional Head of Growth Cost & Rates Fractional vs Full-Time Head of Growth

How to Hire a Fractional Head of Growth

5 Steps to Hire a Fractional Head of Growth

Define Your Needs

Determine Hours & Budget

Evaluate Candidates

Structure the Engagement

Onboard Effectively

What to Look For (and Avoid)

Green Flags

Red Flags

Interview Questions to Ask

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fractional head of growth?

Is a Head of Growth the same as a Chief Growth Officer (CGO)?

What is the difference between a CGO and a CRO?

Head of Growth vs CMO — which do I need?

How much does a fractional head of growth cost?

When should a startup hire a fractional head of growth?

Ready to Hire Your Fractional Head of Growth?

Related Resources