Experiment-Driven Growth
Fractional Head of Growth
Find What Works. Then Pour Fuel on It.
Growth isn't a department. It's a discipline — running experiments, measuring what matters, and doubling down on what works. A fractional Head of Growth brings the methodology, the frameworks, and the battle scars from scaling multiple companies to find your growth levers before you hire a full team.
of growth experiments fail — the skill is knowing which 20% to double down on
to identify your top 3 growth levers with a fractional growth leader
faster experiment velocity vs companies running growth without a dedicated leader
growth models tested across every fractional leader in our network
The Growth Trap
You're Doing Growth Hacks. You Need a Growth System.
–Everyone wants growth. Few companies have a system for it. Instead they have a collection of tactics — a referral program here, a content play there, some paid ads someone set up six months ago. Nothing connects. Nothing compounds. Growth feels random because it is random.
–The mistake founders make is hiring a 'growth marketer' and hoping for the best. Growth marketing is a tactic. Growth strategy is understanding which channels, which segments, and which motions have the highest potential — then building the experiment infrastructure to test and scale them systematically.
–A fractional Head of Growth doesn't guess. They bring a structured approach — ICE scoring, experimentation cadences, growth modelling — and apply it to your specific business. They've seen what works at your stage and in your market because they've done it at 15 other companies. They find the lever, validate it, build the process to scale it, then hand it over.
Right Time, Right Model
When You Need a Fractional Head of Growth
Not every situation calls for a full-time hire. Here's when fractional is the smarter play.
Pre-PMF Experimentation
You're pre-revenue or early-revenue and need to figure out what growth channels work. A fractional Head of Growth runs rapid experiments across acquisition channels to find signal.
PLG Motion Design
You want a product-led growth motion but don't know how to build one. A fractional growth leader designs the self-serve funnel, activation metrics, and conversion triggers.
Growth Has Plateaued
What got you to $1M ARR won't get you to $5M. A fractional Head of Growth finds new channels, new segments, and new motions to reignite growth.
Metrics & Infrastructure
You don't know your CAC, LTV, or payback period by channel. A fractional growth leader builds the analytics foundation so every growth decision is data-informed.
Scope of Work
What a Fractional Head of Growth Actually Does
Not advice. Not a deck. Real work, embedded in your business.
Growth Strategy
Experimentation
Scaling & Handover
The First 90 Days
From Day One to Full Impact
No 3-month ramp. No onboarding fluff. This is what gets done.
Map & Prioritise
Audit all current growth channels and their unit economics
Map the full customer journey from awareness to expansion
Identify the top 5 growth hypotheses worth testing
Launch the first 2-3 rapid experiments
Test & Learn
Analyse results from first experiments — kill losers, scale winners
Launch next wave of experiments on most promising channels
Build the growth dashboard with real-time experiment tracking
Start building repeatable processes around winning channels
Scale & Systemise
Top growth channel identified and scaling with clear ROI
Growth experimentation process running independently
Team trained on experiment methodology and analysis
Growth playbook documented for handover or continued engagement
Honest Assessment
When a Fractional Head of Growth Isn't the Right Fit
You need someone to run Facebook Ads — you need a paid media specialist, not a Head of Growth
You have zero product usage data — growth systems need data to optimise against
You're looking for a silver bullet — growth is systematic experimentation, not a single hack
Your product has fundamental retention issues — fix the product before scaling acquisition
The Comparison
Full-Time vs. Fractional vs. Consultant
Three options. One clear winner at your stage.
Full-Time Hire | Fractional | Consultant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | $250K-$350K+ | $70K-$130K | $100K-$180K |
| Experiment velocity | Builds over months | Running experiments in week 2 | Recommends experiments |
| Cross-company pattern matching | One company | 15+ growth models | Framework-level |
| Hands-on execution | Yes | Yes — builds and runs the tests | Strategy deck only |
| Analytics infrastructure | Eventually | Built in the first 30 days | Audit and recommendations |
| Risk | High — expensive if wrong stage | Low — 3-month test | Medium — advice may not apply |
Our Vetting Process
What We Screen For in a Fractional Head of Growth
Not resume keywords. Practitioner-led evaluation of real capability.
Experiment track record
How many experiments have they run? What was their success rate? We want to see structured methodology, not just intuition.
Analytics depth
Can they set up and read a growth model? Cohort analysis? Channel economics? Growth without data is just marketing with a different name.
Stage-appropriate tactics
PLG at $0 ARR is different from growth at $5M ARR. We match on stage, not just title — the tactics are completely different.
Cross-functional collaboration
Growth touches product, marketing, sales, and engineering. Can they work across all four without stepping on toes?
Got Questions?
Fractional Head of Growth FAQ
Everything you need to know about hiring a fractional head of growth. No jargon, no small print.
No lock-in contracts. Ever.
Scope flexes to your stage and needs.
Every engagement ends with a clean handover.
A CMO builds and leads the marketing function. A Head of Growth runs experiments across the entire customer journey — including product, activation, and retention. There's overlap in acquisition, but growth is broader and more experiment-driven.
An agency runs campaigns on specific channels. A fractional Head of Growth sets the strategy, prioritises experiments, and builds the system. If you don't know which channels to invest in, you need the strategist first.
First experiments run within 2 weeks. First meaningful data within 30 days. Scaled, repeatable growth process within 60-90 days. Growth is fast when you have someone who's done it before.
Typically $70K-$130K annualised for 2-3 days per week. A full-time Head of Growth runs $250K-$350K+ all-in. You get the senior expertise at a fraction of the cost, with no long-term commitment.
No. Growth hacking implies tricks and shortcuts. A fractional Head of Growth brings structured methodology — hypothesis, experiment, measurement, iteration. It's systematic, not random.
Ready to Start?
Get a Fractional Head of Growth Without the Full-Time Commitment
Practitioner-led. Stage-appropriate. No 12-month contracts. We'll match you with someone who's done this before — at your stage, in your market.
No commitment. No pitch deck. Just a conversation.