Fractional Head of E-Commerce

Your Head of E-CommerceFlexible & Ongoing

Senior e-commerce leadership on a part-time basis. Committed. Adaptable. With real ownership – and access to my network of specialists when you need it.

Fractional Head of E-Commerce - Remote Collaboration
The Reality

E-Commerce Needs Leadership

Many companies have an online store – but no one truly owns it. The result? Untapped potential and missed opportunities.

What We See

  • No dedicated e-commerce leader on the team
  • Full-time executive hire is out of budget
  • E-commerce runs on autopilot as a side project
  • Growth potential left on the table
  • Agencies operating without strategic direction

With a Fractional Head of E-Commerce

  • Senior e-commerce leadership on demand
  • Predictable monthly investment
  • Clear ownership and accountability
  • Systematic, sustainable growth
  • Agencies aligned and strategically managed
Responsibilities

What I Own as Your Head of E-Commerce

I take strategic and operational responsibility for your e-commerce business – everything that comes with it.

Strategy & Roadmap

I develop and maintain your e-commerce strategy, prioritize initiatives, and make sure everyone's rowing in the same direction.

  • Set quarterly objectives
  • Prioritize the roadmap
  • Competitive analysis
  • Market intelligence

KPI Tracking & Reporting

I monitor the metrics that matter and deliver regular reports – with clear, actionable recommendations.

  • Dashboard setup
  • Monthly reporting
  • Trend analysis

Vendor Management

I manage your agencies and service providers, ensure quality, and keep costs under control.

  • Agency oversight
  • Contract negotiation
  • Quality assurance

Team Leadership

If you have an internal team, I lead it – setting goals, providing feedback, and developing your people.

  • Goal setting
  • Performance reviews
  • Hiring support

Technology Decisions

Platform, tools, integrations – I make informed decisions and see them through implementation.

  • Tool evaluation
  • System architecture
  • Build vs. buy
  • Vendor selection

Network on Demand

When needed, I bring in my network of vetted specialists – from SEO to performance marketing to development.

  • Pre-vetted partners
  • Fast availability
  • Coordination included
Network Visualization - Fractional Head of E-Commerce
The Model

What Does Fractional Mean?

A fractional executive is a senior leader who works with multiple companies at once – each on a part-time basis, but with full commitment.

Unlike an interim manager who bridges a gap until you find a replacement, I serve as your ongoing, external Head of E-Commerce. I'm not looking for my successor – I am the solution.

The fractional model is well established in the US, where Fractional CFOs, CMOs, and COOs are standard for mid-market companies and scale-ups. The advantage is clear: you get access to senior expertise that would cost $150-250K annually as a full-time hire – at a fraction of that investment.

  • Flexible Commitment. 8-20 hours per week, based on your needs. Remote-first with regular on-site visits.
  • Ongoing Partnership. No project end date. I'm here as long as you need me.
  • Monthly Retainer. Predictable costs instead of day-rate surprises. Transparent terms.
At a Glance

Fractional Head of E-Commerce by the Numbers

8–20

Hours/Week

flexible based on needs

from 5,000

Monthly Retainer

predictable investment

20+

Years Experience

in e-commerce & digital

Duration

ongoing partnership

E-Commerce Strategy Meeting
The Difference

Fractional vs. Interim vs. Consultant

Three models, three different use cases. Here's how they stack up:

  • Fractional Head of E-Commerce. Ongoing external e-commerce leader on a part-time basis (8-20h/week). Open-ended engagement, monthly retainer.
  • Interim Manager. Bridges a vacancy or manages a crisis. Fixed term (3-12 months), often full-time, daily rate.
  • Consultant / Advisor. Analyzes, recommends, advises – but without operational accountability. Project-based or hourly.

When Fractional? When you need ongoing e-commerce leadership but don't want to fill a full-time position. Ideal for SMBs and scale-ups.

When Interim? When a leadership role is suddenly vacant or you're managing a crisis. I also offer Interim Management.

When Consulting? When you need targeted expertise but will handle execution yourself. See E-Commerce Consulting or Sparring.

The Process

How We Get Started

From first conversation to ongoing partnership – transparent and structured.

Schritt 01

Discovery Call & Fit Check

We get to know each other, discuss your situation, and determine if the fractional model is right for you.

30-minute video call Understand your needs Assess mutual fit
Schritt 02

Deep Dive & Onboarding

I immerse myself in your e-commerce business – store, metrics, processes, team, vendors. Timeline: 2-4 weeks.

Full business deep dive Meet key stakeholders Identify quick wins
Schritt 03

Ongoing Partnership

I take ownership. Weekly check-ins, monthly reviews, clear communication throughout.

Weekly status calls Monthly reporting Direct line via Slack/Teams
Schritt 04

Regular Reviews

Every quarter we assess: Is the commitment level right? Do we need more or less? Fully adjustable.

Quarterly reviews Scope adjustments No lock-in period

A Head of E-Commerce doesn't have to be on your payroll to genuinely care about your business. I treat every company I work with as if it were my own.

Werner Strauch Fractional Head of E-Commerce
Background

What Is a Fractional Head of E-Commerce?

The Concept Explained

A Fractional Head of E-Commerce is an experienced e-commerce leader who works for your company on a part-time basis. Unlike a full-time employee, they divide their time across multiple companies – hence the term "fractional."

This model is well established in the United States, where Fractional CFOs, CMOs, and COOs are standard practice for mid-market companies and scale-ups. The benefit is straightforward: you gain access to senior expertise that would cost $150,000 to $250,000 annually as a full-time position – at a fraction of that cost.

Who Is This Model For?

SMBs with an online store: You have a store, but no dedicated e-commerce leader. It runs on the side, potential goes unrealized. A Fractional Head of E-Commerce brings focus and structure.

Mid-market companies ($2-10M revenue): You need e-commerce leadership, but a full-time hire doesn't pencil out or you can't find the right person. The fractional approach gives you senior expertise without the financial risk.

D2C brands and scale-ups: You're growing fast and need experienced leadership, but don't want long-term commitments. A Fractional Head of E-Commerce scales with you.

How Is This Different from an Agency?

An agency delivers services: campaigns, designs, development. But they don't own your e-commerce business as a whole. They execute what you brief them on.

As your Fractional Head of E-Commerce, I'm part of your leadership team. I think strategically, prioritize, make decisions, and own outcomes. I manage your agencies when needed – but from your company's perspective, not as an outside vendor.

FAQ

Questions About the Fractional Model

Still have questions? Reach out directly.

01

How many hours per week do you work for me?

That depends on your needs. Typically 8-20 hours per week. We define the right commitment level together – and adjust it quarterly as needed.

02

What does a Fractional Head of E-Commerce cost?

The monthly retainer starts at €5,000 and scales with the agreed time commitment. Compared to a full-time position (€80-150K salary plus benefits), it's a predictable investment with clear ROI.

03

How does communication work?

I'm directly reachable via Slack or Teams. Plus weekly status calls and monthly reviews. You have a direct line to me – no ticketing systems or account managers in between.

04

Do you work with my competitors?

No. I strictly maintain category exclusivity within a niche. When I work with you, I won't take on a direct competitor.

05

What's the difference from interim management?

Interim management bridges a vacancy – with the goal of finding a permanent replacement. As your Fractional Head of E-Commerce, I'm your ongoing external e-commerce leader. There's no end date, no successor search.

06

Can you get hands-on when needed?

Absolutely. I'm not just a strategist. When needed, I roll up my sleeves – whether it's campaign setup, store configuration, or vendor negotiations. Hands-on is part of the job.

07

What do you mean by 'your network'?

Over the years, I've built a network of vetted specialists: SEO experts, performance marketers, developers, UX designers. When needed, I bring them in – coordinated and quality-assured by me.

08

How quickly can we get started?

After the discovery call and proposal phase, onboarding takes 2-4 weeks. During that time, I dive deep into your business. Then I take over ongoing responsibility.

E-Commerce Leadership – Flexible & Ongoing?

Let's have a quick conversation to see if the fractional model is right for your situation. No commitment, completely confidential.

Prefer to write first? contact@wernerstrauch.com