Fractional CTO Services
Strategic Technology Leadership Without Full-Time Commitment
Get the expertise of a Fortune 500 CTO on a fractional basis. I help startups, scale-ups, and enterprises build world-class engineering organizations and technical strategies.
What is a Fractional CTO?
A Fractional CTO provides senior technology leadership on a part-time basis—typically 10-20 hours per week. You get executive-level guidance without the $400K+ annual cost of a full-time hire.
Unlike consultants who deliver recommendations and leave, I become part of your leadership team. I take ownership of outcomes, mentor your team, and stay accountable for results.
Ideal For:
- Startups needing senior tech leadership before they can afford a full-time CTO
- Scale-ups requiring strategic guidance during rapid growth
- PE portfolio companies needing technology transformation
- Established companies facing specific technology challenges
Services Included
Technology Strategy
Define technical vision, roadmaps, and architecture decisions aligned with business objectives.
Engineering Team Leadership
Build, mentor, and scale high-performing engineering teams. Establish processes that enable velocity.
Platform Architecture
Design scalable, maintainable systems. Evaluate build vs. buy decisions. Reduce technical debt.
Technical Due Diligence
Assess technology assets for M&A, investments, or partnerships. Identify risks and opportunities.
Vendor & Partner Management
Evaluate technology vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage strategic partnerships.
Board & Investor Relations
Translate technical complexity for stakeholders. Support fundraising with credible technical leadership.
Engagement Models
Strategy, architecture guidance, and leadership team integration.
Hands-on leadership including team management and execution oversight.
Due diligence, architecture reviews, or transformation projects.
Why Work With Me
I'm not a consultant who's never built anything. I've led engineering organizations at Fortune 500 scale.
- Global SVP Engineering at Adidas — Led 500+ engineers across platform engineering, e-commerce, and omni-channel retail
- CIO at Sweetgreen — Built technology organization from ground up, modernized systems, launched digital platform
- President of Technology at Huge — Global technology strategy across 14 offices
I've scaled teams from 10 to 1,000+. I've navigated the challenges you're facing—and I can help you avoid the mistakes I've seen others make.
View Full Profile →What Engineering Leaders Say
"Thomas is a born leader. I always admired his leadership and ability to work well under pressure. Thomas is a talented and well rounded developer, with intricate knowledge of the systems he works with."
"The first time I met Thomas was during a final interview. I was just excited for the future. Despite all his qualifications, it is his humanness that drew me to work with him. He is an inspiration to those around him."
"Thomas is an exceptionally well rounded technology architect and manager. Besides being talented and pragmatic, he is one of the most effective client facing technologists I have ever worked with."
How It Works
Discovery Call
30-minute conversation to understand your challenges, goals, and whether we're a good fit.
Schedule Now →Proposal
Tailored engagement proposal with scope, deliverables, and investment based on your needs.
Onboarding
Quick integration with your team, systems, and processes. Most engagements start within 1-2 weeks.
Ongoing Partnership
Regular cadence of strategy sessions, team interactions, and measurable progress toward goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fractional CTO?
A Fractional CTO is an experienced technology executive who provides strategic leadership on a part-time or project basis. Unlike a full-time CTO, a fractional engagement allows companies to access senior technology leadership at a fraction of the cost, typically 10-20 hours per week.
Who needs a Fractional CTO?
Fractional CTO services are ideal for: startups needing senior tech leadership before they can afford a full-time executive, scale-ups requiring strategic guidance during rapid growth, PE portfolio companies needing technology due diligence or transformation leadership, and established companies facing specific technology challenges or transitions.
How does a Fractional CTO engagement work?
Engagements typically start with a discovery call to understand your needs, followed by a tailored proposal. Most clients engage for 10-20 hours per week on a monthly retainer. I integrate with your leadership team, participate in key meetings, and provide hands-on guidance while building internal capabilities.
What's the difference between a Fractional CTO and a consultant?
A consultant typically provides recommendations and leaves. A Fractional CTO becomes part of your team, taking ownership of outcomes. I don't just advise—I help implement, mentor your team, and stay accountable for results. It's strategic leadership, not just advice.
How quickly can you start?
Most engagements begin within 1-2 weeks of signing. I maintain limited availability to ensure each client gets focused attention. For urgent needs, expedited onboarding is possible.
What industries do you specialize in?
I have deep experience in retail/e-commerce (Adidas, Nike), food service/restaurant tech (Sweetgreen), media/entertainment (EA, Hulu), and B2B platforms. However, the fundamentals of scaling engineering organizations and building technical strategy translate across industries.
Ready to Discuss Your Technology Challenges?
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to explore how fractional CTO services can help your organization.