Flagship · Fractional COO Retainer
Executive Operations Leadership, Embedded in Your Team.
The Fractional COO Retainer gives your organization the executive operations leadership a full-time C-suite hire would bring — strategy, governance, advancement, marketing oversight, financial discipline — without the full-time cost or commitment.
A 12-month embedded engagement. The most common way clients work with Dr. Jones long-term.
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What a Fractional COO Actually Does.
Not advice from the outside. Not a slide deck quarterly. Embedded executive partnership across the operations that determine whether your mission scales.
Strategy Execution
Translate the strategic plan into Monday-morning execution. Hold the team accountable to the work that moves the mission forward.
Board Governance
Serve as the operational liaison between the board and staff. Build the reporting cadences that earn the board's trust.
Financial Oversight
Partner with finance leadership on budgets, cash flow, financial dashboards, and decisions that affect long-term sustainability.
Advancement & Development
Help build the development engine — annual fund, major gifts, capital campaigns, donor stewardship. With Lonna and 7Forward available when the work needs it.
Marketing Oversight
Direct the brand, messaging, and channel strategy in partnership with Seven & Associates so marketing actually moves enrollment and engagement.
Accreditation & Compliance
Lead accreditation preparation, compliance work, and the institutional rigor that protects the organization's long-term viability.
The Rhythm of an Embedded Engagement.
A Fractional COO engagement isn't ad-hoc. It's a structured rhythm of weekly, monthly, and quarterly touchpoints that build trust and momentum.
Weekly
Leadership Team Meeting
60–90 min meeting with the senior leadership team. Strategic execution, decisions, and team alignment.
Monthly
Board Liaison Touchpoint
Standing call with board chair / governance committee. Reporting cadence + advance prep for board meetings.
Quarterly
On-Site Visit
2–3 day on-site engagement. Strategic review, team development, board presentation, donor moments.
As Needed
24/7 Decision Access
Phone / text access for urgent decisions. The kind of executive partnership a full-time COO would bring.
Assessment + Training + Coaching = Actual Change.
Most leadership development fails because it's a one-time event. Real growth requires a loop — measure, train, apply, reinforce, repeat.
Measure
DISC assessment gives leaders a shared vocabulary for how they decide, communicate, and lead.
Train
3-session curriculum delivers the frameworks leaders need to govern, strategize, and execute.
Apply
Monthly coaching turns frameworks into Monday-morning decisions. The loop is what makes it stick.
The Fractional COO Retainer Is the Right Fit If…
Your organization needs executive-level operations leadership but isn't ready (or able) to hire a full-time COO
Your founder, head of school, or ED is wearing too many hats and the mission is stalling because of it
Your board wants to see an executive operating discipline they recognize from larger organizations
You're entering a major chapter — capital campaign, expansion, accreditation cycle, leadership succession
You're a private school, ministry, or faith-based nonprofit ready for a 12-month embedded engagement
The Investment.
The Fractional COO Retainer is scoped to your organization's size, complexity, and the priorities you want covered in the first 90 days. Engagements are 12 months and start with a 30-day onboarding sprint.
Most engagements are equivalent to a fraction of what a full-time C-suite hire would cost — typically less than 25% of full-time COO compensation in your region.
The Discovery Call gives you a clear quote — no estimate ranges, no surprises.
Standard Engagement Includes:
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30-day onboarding sprint
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Weekly leadership team meeting
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Monthly board liaison call
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Quarterly on-site visit (2–3 days)
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24/7 access for urgent decisions
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Custom scope across the 6 operational areas
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Strategic planning included if needed
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Coordination with Seven & Associates on marketing & development
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12-month engagement, renewable annually
"Having Dr. Jones embedded with our team has been the difference between 'we have a plan' and 'we're executing the plan.' He brings the discipline of someone who's actually run an organization — not just consulted on one."
[ Board Chair],
“The insights and structure PrimePath brought to our operations were game-changing. Their team is sharp, responsive, and invested in our success.”
Daniel R.,
“PrimePath helped us clarify our growth strategy and execute with precision. We saw measurable improvements within the first quarter.”
Laura G.,
Ready for an Embedded Executive Partner?
A 30-minute Discovery Call is the first step. We'll talk about where your organization is, what the next 12 months need to look like, and whether the Fractional COO engagement is the right fit.