Fractional CTO Services
Strategic Technology Leadership Without Full-Time Commitment
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 — a talented, well-rounded developer with intricate knowledge of the systems he is defining.
Thomas embodies all the traits of a leader, yet it is his humanness that drew me to work with him. He is an inspiration to those around him and a driving force for self-improvement.
Thomas is an exceptionally well rounded technology architect and manager. Besides being a talented and pragmatic architect he is also one of the most effective client facing technologists that I have…
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.