Fractional VP of sales and fractional CRO solve adjacent problems with different scope and seniority. Picking the right one matters for how the engagement plays out.
Fractional VP of sales is typically focused on the sales motion specifically (deals, AEs, pipeline). Fractional CRO is broader (sales + CS + sometimes marketing). VP fractional: $8K-$18K/month. CRO fractional: $10K-$25K/month. Pick VP if your bottleneck is specifically sales execution. Pick CRO if revenue alignment across sales/CS/marketing is the issue.
Fractional VP of sales: sales team leadership, deal coaching, pipeline management, sales hiring, sales motion design. Focused on the sales function specifically.
Fractional CRO: all of revenue. Sales + CS + sometimes marketing. Broader strategic scope. More board-facing.
Four signals:
1. Your sales motion is undefined and AEs are inconsistent
2. Pipeline-to-revenue conversion is broken
3. Need senior sales leadership but can't afford full-time
4. Don't need broader CS/marketing leadership
Four signals:
1. Sales + CS + marketing aren't aligned on revenue motion
2. You need someone owning all revenue functions
3. Board wants senior revenue voice
4. You're scaling past $10M ARR with cross-functional revenue gaps
Fractional VP sales: $8K-$18K/month.
Fractional CRO: $10K-$25K/month.
Compare to full-time VP Sales at $250K-$400K all-in; full-time CRO at $400K-$700K all-in.