Fractional VP of marketing and fractional CMO get used interchangeably, but they're meaningfully different in practice. Pick the wrong title and you'll set wrong expectations on both sides.
Fractional VP of marketing is typically more execution-focused and earlier-stage. Fractional CMO is typically more strategic and board-credible. VP fractional: $6K-$15K/month. CMO fractional: $10K-$25K/month. Pick VP if you need an executor with senior judgment. Pick CMO if you need a strategist with team leadership and board presence.
Same level of seniority can be marketed either way, but in practice:
• Fractional VP of Marketing tends to be more hands-on, more execution-focused, smaller team size, earlier-stage companies.
• Fractional CMO tends to be more strategic, more team leadership focused, board-credible, larger company stage.
Fractional VP marketing: $6K-$15K/month (1-2 days/week).
Fractional CMO: $10K-$25K/month (1-2 days/week).
The pricing gap reflects scope and seniority of work, not necessarily skill level.
Fractional VP marketing:
• Pre-$5M ARR
• You're the strategy owner, need executor
• Don't need board credibility from marketing
Fractional CMO:
• $5M-$50M ARR
• You need a strategy owner
• Board wants senior marketing voice
Many fractional executives present as either depending on the company. A senior operator with 15 years CMO experience is a CMO when working with mid-market, often a VP when working with seed/Series A companies. The skills are the same; the scope changes.