Fractional COO - Chief Operating Officer

Transform your operations with experienced fractional COOs. Get the operational excellence you need to scale efficiently and drive sustainable growth.

What is a Fractional COO?

A fractional COO is a senior operations executive who works with your company on a part-time or project basis. They bring the strategic thinking and operational expertise of a full-time COO without the permanent commitment and full-time cost.

Fractional COOs are particularly valuable for growing companies that need operational leadership but aren't ready for a full-time executive hire. They can help establish processes, systems, and structures that enable sustainable growth.

Typical Engagement

  • 20-60% time commitment
  • 6-18 month engagements
  • €80-250 per hour
  • Immediate availability

Key Responsibilities of a Fractional COO

Process Optimization

Design and implement efficient operational processes to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Team Leadership

Lead and develop operational teams, establish clear roles and responsibilities, and improve team performance.

Strategic Planning

Develop operational strategies aligned with business goals and create execution plans for growth.

Performance Management

Establish KPIs, monitor performance metrics, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Change Management

Lead organizational change initiatives and ensure smooth transitions during growth phases.

Systems & Technology

Implement operational systems and technology solutions to improve efficiency and scalability.

Industry Expertise

Manufacturing

  • • Lean manufacturing
  • • Supply chain optimization
  • • Quality control systems
  • • Production planning

Technology

  • • Agile operations
  • • DevOps implementation
  • • Scaling tech teams
  • • Process automation

Services

  • • Service delivery optimization
  • • Customer success operations
  • • Professional services scaling
  • • Multi-location management

When to Hire a Fractional COO

Perfect Timing

  • Company growth is creating operational bottlenecks
  • CEO is overwhelmed with operational tasks
  • Need to establish scalable processes
  • Preparing for fundraising or exit

Typical Company Size

  • 10-200 employees
  • €1M - €50M annual revenue
  • Post-startup, pre-IPO companies
  • Scale-ups experiencing rapid growth

Success Stories

SaaS Company - 150% Growth

A Berlin-based SaaS company hired a fractional COO to help scale from 50 to 150 employees. The COO implemented new processes, restructured teams, and established performance metrics.

Result: 150% revenue growth in 12 months

Efficiency: 40% reduction in operational costs

Manufacturing Company - Process Optimization

A French manufacturing company engaged a fractional COO to streamline production processes and improve quality control across multiple facilities.

Result: 30% increase in production efficiency

Quality: 50% reduction in defect rates

🏆 #1 European COO Provider

4.9

Atreus

German market leader earning 'Hidden Champion of the Consulting Market 2024/2025' award. Maintains global network of 18,000+ highly qualified professionals with 'Qualified+ Expertise' methodology combining strategic resource selection with AI-enhanced matching. Proven track record in automotive, financial services, and industrial manufacturing with measurable EBITDA improvements.

Market-leading interim management with 48-hour deployment capability and AI-enhanced project matching. Deep expertise across automotive, financial services, and manufacturing with consistent EBITDA improvements.

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Key Achievements

  • Hidden Champion of the Consulting Market 2024/2025
  • 18,000+ qualified professionals globally
  • 48-hour deployment capability
  • AI-enhanced project matching
  • Proven EBITDA improvements across sectors

Top COO Providers by Country

🇬🇧

The Growth Chain

United Kingdom

4.9

Provides fractional COO partnership services with focus on sorting operational challenges. Communication efficiency, customer journey mapping, elite right-hand partner services, metrics monitoring, P&L analysis, and SOP creation.

Unique signature approach providing solutions tailored to business needs rather than step-by-step frameworks. Focus on sustainable operational excellence.

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🇫🇷

OneFractional

france

4.4

Collective of fractional COOs specialized in supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders. Personalized matching between CEO and COO with varied sector expertise and human, flexible approach.

Growing collective with freelance team mindset providing velocity and flexibility for French businesses.

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🇩🇪

Atreus

germany

4.9

German market leader in interim management with 'Hidden Champion of the Consulting Market 2024/2025' award. Network of 18,000+ qualified professionals with AI-enhanced matching.

48-hour deployment with proven EBITDA improvements in automotive, financial services, and manufacturing sectors.

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🇪🇸

Xternus

spain

4.7

Professional services firm specializing in fractional executive leadership and operations scaling for Spanish companies. Offers fractional COO services focused on process mapping, KPI frameworks, operational maturity, and team scaling with global capabilities.

Real fractional COO expertise with verified team, multiple C-suite disciplines, and deep experience scaling operations for SMEs and startups across Spain.

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🇳🇱

Endeblauw

netherlands

4.8

Premier Dutch fractional leadership firm with 48-hour availability for interim COO. Dual fractional/interim model with deep understanding of Dutch business culture.

Fastest deployment in Netherlands with bilingual capabilities and operations & supply chain management specialization.

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🇮🇹

YOURgroup

italy

4.9

Italy's largest fractional executive platform with 10 specialized verticals including dedicated operations. Network of 300+ C-level managers with deep manufacturing, family business, and generational handover expertise.

Unmatched Italian network depth with 10-vertical specialization. The go-to platform for Italian companies needing fractional COO leadership.

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🇧🇪

MANAGERIM

belgium

4.8

Leading Belgian interim management firm providing COO and operational leadership. Brussels and Antwerp offices with rapid deployment. Specializes in relay management and operational restructuring.

National coverage with strong track record in operational leadership. Rapid mobilization for urgent COO mandates across Belgium.

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🇨🇭

Swiss Interim Management

switzerland

4.9

Switzerland's most versatile interim management firm with 17-year history and 100+ corporate clients. Dedicated COO/operations practice covering manufacturing, pharma, and financial services.

Most established Swiss interim management firm. Bilingual DE/EN with shortlist in 5 days and unmatched network depth.

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Ready to Transform Your Operations?

Connect with experienced fractional COOs who can streamline your operations and drive sustainable growth.