What is a Fractional Chief Communications Officer?
A Fractional Chief Communications Officer (CCO) gives you board-level communications leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. You get a senior operator who can shape narrative, manage reputation, and align every channel to your strategy on a part-time, flexible basis.
Why work with a Fractional CCO?
A fractional CCO is useful when the stakes are high but internal capacity is thin. Typical reasons include:
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You need executive-level communications judgment but not a permanent C‑suite role.
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Your organisation is scaling, restructuring, or entering a new market and needs a clear, confident story.
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Your founder, CEO, or CMO has a strategy but needs help translating it into messages that land with media, investors, partners, or the public.
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You are facing scrutiny, crisis, or sensitive change and cannot afford missteps in how you communicate.
Instead of agencies who delegate to junior support, you gain a trusted strategic partner who knows your context and can operate at pace.
How Dawn works as your Fractional CCO
Engagements are intentionally lean, senior, and practical. Core work typically includes:
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Strategic messaging and brand positioning
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Corporate narrative and content strategy across channels
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Executive visibility and thought leadership platforms
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Media and stakeholder communications (internal, external, investor, and board)
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Crisis communications preparation, response, and recovery
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Coaching, light team development, and oversight of agencies or freelancers
Because this is an embedded leadership role rather than a traditional consultancy, the focus is on decision-making, alignment, and implementation, not just decks and recommendations.
Who this is for
Fractional CCO support is particularly effective for:
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Startups and scaleups preparing for funding, launch, or international expansion.
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Mission‑driven organisations and nonprofits operating in politically or socially sensitive environments.
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Public sector, civic tech, and regulated organisations navigating policy, scrutiny, or reform.
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Founders and senior leaders who need a seasoned communications counterpart in the room—but not on the full‑time payroll.
Larger organisations can also use a fractional CCO to bridge leadership gaps, run critical programmes, or stabilise reputation during periods of change.
How engagements are structured
To match different stages and needs, fractional CCO work can be structured as:
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A monthly retainer for ongoing senior counsel and hands-on delivery
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A time‑bound engagement around a specific moment (e.g. launch, rebrand, crisis, leadership transition)
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Focused advisory sessions for boards or executive teams who need external perspective without a full programme
Every engagement is scoped around your goals, risk profile, and internal capacity so that leadership time is spent where it moves the needle most.