Software companies are under constant pressure to grow. New features must ship, competitors move fast, and customer expectations keep rising. But many software founders face a critical problem: marketing isn’t driving the growth it should.

That’s where a Part-Time CMO (also called a Fractional CMO) comes in.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• What a part-time CMO actually does

• Why this model works especially well for SaaS and software companies

• When to hire one (and when not to)

• How much it costs

• How to evaluate if it’s right for you

Let’s dig in.

What Is a Part-Time CMO?

A Part-Time CMO is a senior marketing leader who works with your company on a fractional basis—typically 1–2 days per week. They bring high-level marketing expertise without the commitment or cost of a full-time hire.

Instead of just running campaigns or managing vendors, a part-time CMO is responsible for:

• Creating and owning the marketing strategy

• Aligning marketing with business goals (e.g., pipeline, revenue)

• Leading internal/external marketing teams

• Identifying gaps in the funnel and fixing them

• Bringing structure and clarity to all marketing activities

Think of it as hiring a $200k+ CMO—but only paying for the time and impact you need.

Why Software Companies Are Turning to Part-Time CMOs

Not all companies need a full-time CMO—especially software companies between $2M–$10M ARR or 10–50 employees. At this stage, your marketing needs are complex enough to require leadership—but often not enough to justify a full-time exec.

Here’s why this model makes sense:

✅ You Get Executive-Level Strategy Without the Overhead

A part-time CMO brings years of experience across SaaS, GTM planning, funnel optimization, and team leadership—without the salary, equity, and onboarding delay of a full-time CMO.

✅ You Don’t Need a “Big Vision” CMO—You Need a Doer-Thinker

Most software founders don’t need a big-brand strategist. They need someone who can build a plan, lead execution, and adapt as the business evolves.

✅ You Avoid the Costly Mistakes of Junior-Led or Vendor-Only Marketing

Without a marketing leader, companies often overspend on ads, hire the wrong freelancers, or run disjointed campaigns. A fractional CMO ties it all together.

MECE Breakdown: What a Part-Time CMO Actually Does

Let’s use the MECE framework (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) to outline a Part-Time CMO's core responsibilities.

1. Strategy & Positioning

• Clarifies ideal customer profile (ICP)

• Refines value proposition and messaging

• Develops GTM strategy by segment, channel, and funnel stage

2. Funnel Design & Optimization

• Audits the existing funnel

• Identifies bottlenecks and fixes gaps

• Aligns tactics to buyer journey stages (TOFU/MOFU/BOFU)

3. Marketing Team & Vendor Leadership

• Manages internal team or freelance marketers

• Interfaces with external agencies (PPC, SEO, design, etc.)

• Recruits and trains new hires as needed

4. Data, Metrics, and Performance

• Defines KPIs and dashboards

• Tracks CAC, LTV, conversion rates, attribution

• Makes data-backed decisions to drive revenue

5. Founder Enablement

• Frees up the founder from being the “default CMO”

• Translates product vision into marketing strategy

• Acts as a sounding board and growth advisor

When Should a Software Company Hire a Part-Time CMO?

Here are clear signs it might be time:

🔹 You’ve hit a growth plateau

Revenue has stalled. Lead gen feels random. You’re stuck in reactive mode.

🔹 Your marketing feels scattered or disconnected

You’re doing “all the things” but nothing seems to move the needle.

🔹 You don’t have internal leadership

Junior marketers or vendors are doing their best—but no one’s steering the ship.

🔹 You’re planning a big move

New product launch? Fundraising? Market expansion? You need experienced leadership to navigate the growth.

When Not to Hire a Fractional CMO

It’s not always the right fit.

Don’t hire a part-time CMO if:

• You only need tactical execution (just run ads, just post on social, etc.)

• You have no internal resources or budget for execution

• You're pre-revenue and need pure product-market fit discovery

In those cases, an early-stage growth consultant or marketing advisor may be a better fit.

How Much Does a Part-Time CMO Cost?

It depends on experience, scope, and engagement level. But here are typical ranges:

Engagement TypeMonthly CostHours Per MonthLight Advisory Only$2,500 – $5,000~4–6 hrs/monthStrategic + Team Lead$6,000 – $10,000~8–16 hrs/monthDeep Engagement$10,000+~20–30 hrs/month

✅ Still much less than a full-time CMO, which can run $220k–$300k+ annually with benefits, bonuses, and equity.

How to Get Started With a Part-Time CMO

Here’s a simple path to begin:

1. Audit Your Current Marketing:
   What’s working? What’s broken? What’s unclear?

2. Clarify What You Need:
   Strategy? Funnel ownership? Team leadership? Be specific.

3. Book a Strategy Consultation:
   Most part-time CMOs (like myself) offer a free strategy session or growth audit.

4. Start with a 90-Day Sprint:
   Don’t overcommit—start with a quarter to align, build, and test the relationship.

FAQs: Part-Time CMOs for Software Companies

What’s the difference between a fractional and part-time CMO?

They’re mostly interchangeable. “Fractional” implies a strategic, leadership role—not just part-time hours.

Will they also run campaigns?

They usually don’t execute individual tasks (like writing blog posts), but they lead the team that does—and ensure all execution aligns with a clear strategy.

Can they work alongside a marketing team?

Absolutely. Many work with in-house marketers or manage freelancers. Think of them as your VP of Marketing + Chief Strategist in one.

Final Thoughts: Growth Doesn’t Come from Guesswork

Software companies that scale consistently don’t leave marketing to chance.

They have a leader—someone who connects strategy to execution, aligns teams, and makes data-backed decisions.

A Part-Time CMO can do exactly that—without draining your budget or requiring a long hiring process.

Want to See If It’s Right for You?

Start by taking the Free SaaS Growth Assessment.
It takes 2 minutes and gives you a custom report on where your marketing is strong—and where it’s leaking revenue.

Or book a free strategy call where I’ll personally walk you through your funnel, customer journey, and biggest opportunities.