Fractional CIO
Executive IT leadership, without a full-time executive.
A fractional CIO gives you a senior technology leader for planning, budgeting and the big decisions, on a predictable schedule and for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
What is a fractional CIO?
A part-time technology executive who works for your business
A fractional CIO (sometimes called a virtual CIO or vCIO) is a senior IT leader who joins your team part time. They make sure your infrastructure, security, compliance and technology investments support where the business is going, and they stay with you over time instead of handing over a report and leaving.
Full-time CIO
Senior leadership every day, at an executive salary most growing companies can’t justify yet.
Fractional CIO
The same strategic leadership, scoped to what your business needs, with a team behind it to get the work done.
One-time consultant
A recommendation at a point in time, without anyone accountable for carrying it out.
Sound familiar?
When it’s time for a technology leader
“IT never tells us anything. We just get invoices.”
“We have no plan and no budget for technology.”
“We’re growing faster than our systems.”
“The board is asking about cybersecurity.”
What a fractional CIO does
Strategy, risk and spend, owned by someone senior
Your fractional CIO is accountable for how technology supports the business, not just whether it’s working today.
Strategy & alignment
Technology priorities tied directly to your growth plans and operating goals.
Roadmap & budget
A written technology roadmap and budget you can plan around, reviewed every quarter.
Cybersecurity & risk
Threats identified, controls prioritized and risk reported in terms leadership understands.
Compliance & governance
HIPAA, PCI and industry requirements managed, with policies and evidence kept current.
Vendor management
Contracts, renewals and providers reviewed independently, with your interests first.
Modernization & AI
Cloud, automation and AI adopted on a plan, with security and adoption built in.
How it works
Strategic oversight and hands-on execution
Every engagement follows the same structured path.
01
Assess
An IT and security assessment to find gaps in infrastructure, compliance and risk.
02
Roadmap
A technology roadmap and budget aligned to your business priorities.
03
Implement & oversee
Projects, software and third-party providers managed to the plan.
04
Optimize
Performance, security and cost reviewed on a regular cadence and adjusted as you grow.
A predictable cadence
Leadership that shows up on a schedule
You’ll know when you’ll see your fractional CIO and what you’ll get from each meeting, plus a direct line when something big comes up.
01
Monthly
Check-ins on projects, open risks, security and spend.
02
Quarterly
Business reviews with leadership covering the roadmap, budget and risk.
03
Annually
Planning for the year ahead: budget, lifecycle replacements and standards.
04
When it matters
Acquisitions, audits, board meetings and major software decisions.
FAQs
Common questions about fractional CIO services
Is a fractional CIO the same as a vCIO?
Yes. Both describe a part-time technology executive. vCIO is the term most managed IT providers use; fractional CIO is common in leadership circles.
Do we need to use TKG Edge for managed IT?
No. A fractional CIO can work alongside your internal IT team or another provider. It’s also included in our Strategic managed IT level.
How much time will our fractional CIO spend with us?
It’s scoped to your needs. Most engagements combine regular monthly involvement with quarterly reviews and support for major decisions.
Who will we work with?
A senior TKG Edge principal who learns your business and stays with you, backed by our full technical team.
Start the partnership
Get a technology leader at the table
Tell us where the business is going. We’ll show you what a technology roadmap and budget would look like.