Join VCMO to Build Your Fractional Marketing Career

What Is a Fractional Career?

A fractional career (in marketing) involves taking responsibility for the marketing function across multiple organisations simultaneously, on a part-time or 'fractional' basis. Unlike traditional full-time roles, operating as a Fractional CMO can offer greater flexibility, autonomy, and diversity in work engagements. It can also help you achieve a better work-life balance.

Why More Senior Marketers Are Choosing a Fractional Career.

Senior marketers are increasingly drawn to a fractional career for several reasons, including:

• Corporate Dissatisfaction: Rigidity in corporate structures and internal politics may drive a desire for greater autonomy and flexibility.
• Career Milestone Completion: After achieving significant milestones, senior marketers seek fresh challenges beyond traditional roles.
• Societal Contribution: Aspiring to use their skills for social good, marketers may engage in pro bono work or volunteer initiatives.
• Industry Diversification: A fractional career enables marketers to apply their expertise across diverse sectors fostering continual learning and skill development.
• Family Commitments: Flexible schedules accommodate caregiving responsibilities, such as looking after elderly relatives.
• Income vs. Hours: A fractional career can offer competitive income with flexible working hours.
• Hobby Pursuits: Balancing professional commitments with personal interests leads to a more fulfilling lifestyle.
• ‍Flexibility: Crafting schedules and choosing clients and projects that align with personal priorities.‍
• Greater Autonomy: Creative freedom and strategic decision-making shape projects and clients.

5 Key Drawbacks of a Fractional Career

While a fractional career offers numerous advantages, it's crucial to understand the potential drawbacks before diving into this workstyle. We don't want to put you off, but it's important to to carefully consider each of the following before handing in your resignation:

1. Inconsistent Income: A fractional career may lead to fluctuating income streams due to variable client demand, potentially causing financial uncertainty and challenges in budgeting and planning for expenses.
2. Limited Benefits: Unlike traditional employment, operating as a sole trader often lacks corporate benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, requiring individuals to manage their own benefits or forego them entirely.
3. Work Overload: Juggling multiple clients and projects simultaneously can result in workload overwhelm, leading to stress, burnout, and difficulty maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
4. Administrative Burden: Fractional CMOs must handle administrative tasks such as invoicing, company filing, bookkeeping, and client management independently, which can be time-consuming, tedious and detract from billable work.
5. Client Acquisition: Continuously sourcing and securing new clients is crucial for sustaining a fractional career. This requires a commitment to ongoing networking, marketing and BD efforts, and investment in building a strong professional reputation.

"A fractional career gives you the freedom to leverage your marketing expertise across various clients in different sectors, enjoying a more dynamic and fulfilling career path. But you must weigh up the odds before choosing this career path."

Paul Mills
CEO & Founder, VCMO

How VCMO Can Support Your Transition to a Fractional Career

We acknowledge the challenges of transitioning to a fractional career - we've been there! By joining VCMO we can provide the following assistance to empower you as you embark on this journey:

• Learn From Others: Speak to our Fractional CMOs for guidance on how to make your transition to a fractional career a successful one. Learn from other people's mistakes and avoid pitfalls that you may have overlooked.
• Professional Coaching: Build a thriving fractional marketing business in 7 weeks with expert coaching from Dan Gwalter, Founder of No-Nonsense Leadership. Learn more.
• ‍Thought Leadership: Participate in VCMO's content strategy by engaging in podcasts, webinars, and LinkedIn Live events to showcase your expertise and broaden your visibility.
• Access Fractional Communities: Through our network, you can gain entry to fractional communities where you can learn from established fractional leaders, fostering networking opportunities and professional growth.
• Secure IT: Through our partnership with Labyrinth IT Solutions, we can help you source a high-performance laptop equipped with enterprise-grade software and encryption, ensuring secure client engagement. Additionally, we can set up your email and VoIP telephony services.

Entry Requirements for Joining VCMO

At VCMO, our mission is dedicated to reshaping the perception of marketing in the business landscape and driving tangible growth for our clients. We invite Chartered marketers who share our vision, commitment to continuous professional development and excellence in marketing to join us. To be considered part of the VCMO network, you must meet all of the following:

1. Chartered Marketer Status: Hold Chartered Marketer status from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and commit to maintaining this status through ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learn more.
2. Fellowship Status (FCIM): Hold Fellowship status (FCIM) with the UK's Chartered Institute of Marketing in recognition of your contribution to the marketing discipline. Learn more.
3. SOSTAC® Certified Planner: Be accredited as a SOSTAC® Certified Planner. We use SOSTAC® as the cornerstone of our strategic planning and combine with other frameworks to ensure clients get the most comprehensive plan for prioritising activities and decision making.‍
4. Senior Strategic Marketing Experience: Possess a minimum of 10 years' senior strategic marketing experience, including at least 5 years at the CMO/VP level or equivalent, or hold a position as a marketing Professor (or equivalent) at a recognised academic institute for 5 or more years.‍
5. Registered Company: Your business must possess a Registered Company Number issued by Companies House (for UK residents) or the equivalent regulatory body outside the UK. Your business must be actively trading and not in a dormant state.‍
6. VAT Registered: If you are based in the UK, you must be VAT registered with HMRC.‍
7. Insurance: You are required to maintain public liability and professional indemnity insurance with a minimum coverage limit of £1 million (or its equivalent in foreign currency).