Definition: Fractional CRO (Chief Revenue Officer)

A Fractional CRO is a senior executive responsible for aligning and leading all revenue-generating functions—sales, marketing, customer success, and partnerships—on a part-time, retainer basis.

Scope of Responsibility

A Fractional CRO typically owns:

  • Revenue strategy and growth architecture

  • Cross-functional GTM alignment

  • Forecasting and revenue governance

  • Revenue metrics, accountability, and reporting

How a Fractional CRO Differs from Other Roles

  • Broader scope than a Fractional VP of Sales

  • Greater organizational reach than a sales-only leader

  • Direct accountability for revenue outcomes

Best-Fit Scenarios

Fractional CROs are most effective in:

  • Scaling organizations with multiple GTM motions

  • Companies experiencing sales–marketing misalignment

  • Investor- or board-backed environments demanding predictability

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