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.