What to include in a fractional CMO contract

A plain-English checklist of the terms a fractional CMO engagement should spell out before the work starts.

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Scope and outcomes

Write down what you own and what you do not. Name the areas you are responsible for, such as positioning, the marketing plan, the budget or the team, and the outcomes the company expects in the first 90 days. A clear scope is the best protection against an engagement that slowly grows past the hours you agreed.

Hours and availability

State the expected time each week or month and how you will be reached between meetings. Many roles on this board post a weekly range, such as 10 to 20 hours, and the contract should say what happens when the work runs over that range.

Pay and invoicing

Say how you are paid, whether that is a monthly retainer, a day rate, an hourly rate or equity, along with when you invoice and when payment is due. If equity is part of the deal, describe the grant and the vesting in writing rather than leaving it as a promise. Our pay page shows how currently open roles posted their pay.

Term, notice and renewal

Set a start date, an initial term and the notice either side must give to end the engagement. A short first term with a review point gives both sides a natural moment to adjust the scope or the hours.

Ownership, confidentiality and other clients

Make clear that the company owns the work you create for it, and that your own frameworks and templates stay yours. Include a confidentiality clause, and say plainly that you work with other clients and will not take on a direct competitor during the engagement.

Reporting line and access

Name the person you report to, usually the CEO or a founder, and list the tools, data and people you need access to from the first week. Many engagements stall because access arrives late, not because the plan is wrong.

Have it reviewed

This checklist is a starting point and not legal advice. Contract rules differ by country and state, so have a lawyer review the final agreement, especially the sections on equity, ownership and ending the engagement.

Related: pay posted on current roles, how to write a fractional CMO proposal, how to become a fractional CMO, open fractional CMO jobs.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a fractional CMO an employee or a contractor?

Most fractional CMOs work as independent contractors under a services agreement. The right setup depends on where you and the company are based, so check the rules that apply to you.

How long is a typical fractional CMO contract?

Many start with a fixed first term of a few months and then renew. Several roles on this board post a term, such as six months, alongside the weekly hours.

Should a fractional CMO contract include equity?

Only if both sides want it. Some early-stage roles offer equity, and when they do, the grant and the vesting schedule should be written into the agreement.

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