Engineering
Fractional CTO and Engineering Leadership
Specialist fractional CTO and engineering leadership recruiters working across the US, UK, EU and UAE.
Trusted by tech teams from start-ups to globally recognised brands
“Every candidate they sourced was an exact match, which saved us real time. More of a trusted partner now than a recruiter.”
Mark T. · Director of Engineering, HR-tech platform
Overview
The technical decisions a business makes early are often the hardest to change later, and many have to make them before they can justify a full-time CTO. A fractional CTO, or an interim VP or head of engineering, can make those calls with you: setting technical direction, raising standards and building the team.
Start-ups often need that credibility early, while architecture choices are being made. Businesses between leaders need it too, as do teams in the middle of a scale-up, a migration or a turnaround. The work usually covers the key architecture calls, how the team works day to day and the next engineering hires, with the aim of a function that stands on its own.
How fractional engineering works
We look at the engagement before the CV: the number of days, the length, and whether the job is architecture, delivery or hiring. Fractional CTO work is part of our wider Fractional Leadership service. When a full-time hire becomes the right move, our permanent engineering leadership network means we can go straight to that search. We place engineering leaders in the UK, Europe, the US and the UAE.
Customer Stories
How we've helped
Rates
What a fractional CTO costs
Fractional CTO is one of the broadest titles in tech. It can mean a few hours a month advising a founder, or two days a week running an engineering team. The rate follows the work, so we don't publish a single figure.
What shapes the rate
- Scope. Overseeing an outsourced development agency is priced differently from leading an in-house team and its hiring.
- Accountability. Some roles carry named responsibility, such as fronting technical due diligence in a funding round.
- Specialism. Security, heavily regulated sectors and AI experience all narrow the pool of people available.
- Time commitment. One to three days a week covers most engagements. The budget and the work decide where in that range.
- Company stage. Some early-stage businesses pay a lower day rate and add equity.
- The person. Rates are set by the leader, and often reflect the other businesses they work with.
A rate range for your brief
Tell us what you need the role to cover. We'll come back with a realistic rate range from today's market, and an honest view on whether a fractional CTO is the right model at all.
Share Your BriefNo job description needed. Prefer to talk it through? Speak to a consultant.
Fractional engineering leader looking for your next engagement? Get in touch with the engineering team.
Live jobs
Live Engineering jobs
- Permanent
Product Engineer
London · Hybrid
£90,000 - £140,000
View role - Permanent
Backend Engineer
Remote
Competitive salary
View role - Permanent
Principal Software Engineer
New York City - Midtown Manhattan · Hybrid
£180,000 - £220,000 per annum
View role - Permanent
Head of Information Security
Remote
£100,000 - £120,000 per annum
View role - Permanent
Service Desk Analyst (Trading Environment)
London · On-site
£38,000 - £42,000 per annum
View role - Contract
Agentic Developer (LLM-Native / Enterprise)
Los Angeles · On-site
$100 - $150 per hour
View role
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fractional CTO and a technical adviser?
A technical adviser gives guidance when asked, often a few hours a month. A fractional CTO takes real responsibility: they make technical decisions, lead the engineers and are accountable for delivery, just on a part-time basis. If you need someone to own the outcome, a fractional CTO is usually the better fit.
How can a fractional CTO help before we have an engineering team?
Early decisions are expensive to reverse. A fractional CTO can help choose the architecture and technology, decide what to build versus buy, and assess or manage an agency or outsourced team. They can also plan and run the first engineering hires. That gives founders experienced technical input before a full-time leader is affordable.
Can a fractional engineering leader manage an outsourced or offshore team?
Often, yes. They can set coding standards, review work, agree how delivery is tracked and make sure the business owns and understands what is being built. That oversight matters most when the founders are not technical themselves. It can also make a later move to an in-house team smoother.
Can a fractional CTO help with technical due diligence?
Yes. Before an investment round or acquisition, a fractional CTO can prepare the business for the questions it will face: architecture, security, scalability, technical debt and the strength of the team. They can also give an honest view of the gaps and a credible plan to close them.
How do I start working with Consortia?
Clients can get in touch to discuss a brief, and candidates are welcome to register their interest. The quickest route is our contact page or a call to +44 203 397 4565, and one of our consultants will pick things up from there.
For clients
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