Operations Professionals: Insights &Β Resources

Best Fractional COOs for Hire

Ryan Stevens
October 27, 2025
All Insights
Operations Professionals: Insights &Β Resources

Best Fractional COOs for Hire

Fractional COO Services for Hire

Across cities everywhere, Fractional COOs are quietly transforming how businesses operate. Small and medium enterprises, startups, and even established firms increasingly rely on these flexible leaders to implement operational systems, scale efficiently, and optimize processes without the overhead of a full-time executive. From streamlining workflows to integrating HR and finance systems, Fractional COOs for hire bring executive-level strategy on demand.

At Digital Reference, we’ve carefully curated a list of the best Fractional COOs for hire, leveraging a methodology that ensures quality and impact:

  • Rigorous research: We evaluate professionals through LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and verified client testimonials.
  • Operational impact: Consultants are assessed for measurable contributionsβ€”process efficiency, team development, and strategic growth.
  • Global scope: Our directory includes freelancers, independent operators, and firm-based COOs, from any location.

For context on operational leadership and fractional executive roles, check out How Fractional Executives Transform Business Operations and Building Scalable Operations in Small Teams.

🌟 Meet the Fractional COOs for Hire Shaping Businesses

🟒 James Bake

Fractional COO | James Bake Consulting

πŸ”— LinkedIn

James Bake is a seasoned operational strategist who specializes in scaling businesses through process optimization and leadership alignment. With decades of experience across industries, he is known for creating custom operational frameworks that help businesses grow sustainably. James works closely with founders to integrate HR, finance, and workflow systems, ensuring teams operate efficiently while scaling.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Strategic operational planning
πŸ₯ Team alignment and HR integration
πŸ‹ Workflow optimization and process automation
πŸ“ Performance tracking and KPI development

‍

🟒 Toby Hemmerling

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Toby Hemmerling focuses on helping small to medium businesses achieve operational excellence. His expertise lies in process design, organizational development, and operational scaling. Toby is particularly adept at implementing systems that allow leaders to focus on strategic growth while day-to-day operations run seamlessly.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Process design and workflow efficiency
πŸ₯ Organizational development
πŸ‹ Operational scalability
πŸ“ Leadership coaching

‍

🟒 Janessa Mondestin

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Janessa Mondestin brings a hands-on operational approach to businesses needing flexible executive leadership. She excels in streamlining operations, integrating HR practices, and building repeatable processes. Her clients often praise her ability to translate complex operational challenges into actionable strategies, enhancing both efficiency and team morale.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Operations streamlining
πŸ₯ HR integration and team development
πŸ‹ Process optimization
πŸ“ Strategy execution

‍

🟒 Pete Finlay

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Pete Finlay specializes in scaling small businesses through operational clarity and strategic oversight. He helps founders identify bottlenecks, implement scalable systems, and optimize workflows, allowing companies to focus on growth and innovation. Pete is also experienced in integrating financial and operational strategy, bridging the gap between vision and execution.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Workflow optimization
πŸ₯ Operational strategy and alignment
πŸ‹ Scaling systems for growth
πŸ“ Cross-functional integration

‍

🟒 Roger Wolfe, CCM

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Roger Wolfe combines operational leadership with project management expertise, helping businesses structure their operations to maximize efficiency. He is known for creating operational playbooks, implementing KPIs and dashboards, and mentoring teams to operate at peak performance.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Operational playbook development
πŸ₯ Team coaching and development
πŸ‹ KPI implementation and reporting
πŸ“ Process automation

‍

🟒 Brian Kaplowitz

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Brian Kaplowitz brings a metrics-driven approach to operational leadership. He focuses on aligning business processes with strategic goals, improving efficiency, and creating transparency across teams. His work emphasizes operational clarity, enabling small business leaders to make informed decisions quickly.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Metrics-driven operational planning
πŸ₯ Strategic process alignment
πŸ‹ Workflow transparency
πŸ“ Team development and leadership

‍

🟒 Dennett Edwards

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Dennett Edwards specializes in scaling operations for growing businesses. He integrates HR practices, workflow systems, and performance monitoring, ensuring that operational improvements directly support business growth. Dennett is recognized for his ability to simplify complex processes and guide teams toward efficiency.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Workflow and process improvement
πŸ₯ HR integration and team alignment
πŸ‹ Operational scalability
πŸ“ Performance tracking

‍

🟒 Michael John Magdongon

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Michael John Magdongon brings a strategic operations mindset to small and medium businesses. His expertise includes process optimization, team development, and operational system implementation. He works closely with leadership teams to ensure operational excellence drives growth, while maintaining company culture.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Process and workflow optimization
πŸ₯ Team development and HR alignment
πŸ‹ Operational system implementation
πŸ“ Strategic growth planning

‍

🟒 Stephanie Lodge

Founder & COO | Stephanie R. Lodge Creative

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Stephanie Lodge is a Fractional COO with a creative operations edge. She helps businesses implement structured operational frameworks while integrating creative and strategic processes. Stephanie is known for combining operational rigor with innovation-focused leadership, ensuring small businesses can scale effectively without losing their unique vision.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Creative operational frameworks
πŸ₯ Workflow and process integration
πŸ‹ Team alignment and leadership coaching
πŸ“ Strategic operational planning

‍

🟒 Teila Garraway

Fractional COO | SourcePro Consultants

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Teila Garraway is a Fractional COO known for helping small and medium businesses achieve operational efficiency and strategic alignment. She specializes in process optimization, HR integration, and workflow automation, helping teams operate seamlessly while supporting scalable growth. Teila is highly praised for her collaborative approach, enabling leaders to implement actionable strategies without disrupting day-to-day operations.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Process optimization and workflow design
πŸ₯ HR integration and team development
πŸ‹ Scalable operations implementation
πŸ“ Leadership coaching and mentoring

‍

🟒 Shena Kitt

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Shena Kitt brings a hands-on approach to operational leadership, focusing on streamlined processes and team alignment. She works closely with founders to create efficient operational systems, integrating HR and performance metrics to drive sustainable growth. Shena’s strength lies in her ability to translate operational strategy into tangible results, ensuring businesses operate at their full potential.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Streamlined operations
πŸ₯ Team alignment and HR strategy
πŸ‹ Workflow and process efficiency
πŸ“ Performance measurement

‍

🟒 Rich Hartigan

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Rich Hartigan focuses on scaling operations for small and medium businesses by aligning processes with strategic objectives. He integrates HR management, workflow optimization, and operational KPIs, helping leadership teams make data-driven decisions. Rich is known for creating operational systems that are both efficient and scalable, making him a trusted advisor for growing businesses.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Operational process optimization
πŸ₯ HR and team management
πŸ‹ KPI implementation
πŸ“ Strategic alignment

‍

🟒 Nicole Crites

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Nicole Crites specializes in helping businesses optimize operations and streamline workflows. She focuses on team performance, HR alignment, and operational efficiency, ensuring leaders can focus on growth while maintaining operational control. Nicole is recognized for her ability to quickly assess challenges and implement scalable solutions.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Operational efficiency and workflow improvement
πŸ₯ HR strategy and team development
πŸ‹ Scalable operational solutions
πŸ“ Data-driven decision-making

‍

🟒 Valerie FERAL

Fractional COO | Independent Consultant

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Valerie Feral is a strategic operational leader helping businesses implement repeatable processes and scalable systems. She excels at integrating HR practices, streamlining operations, and mentoring leadership teams, making her a valuable asset for companies looking to scale efficiently while maintaining culture and alignment.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Scalable process implementation
πŸ₯ HR integration and leadership coaching
πŸ‹ Operational optimization
πŸ“ Strategic growth planning

‍

🟒 Chad Gerig

Fractional COO | OpsETC

πŸ”— LinkedIn

Chad Gerig brings extensive experience in operations management and process optimization for small businesses. At OpsETC, he helps companies integrate workflows, improve operational efficiency, and implement scalable systems. Chad is known for his data-driven approach, ensuring operational decisions are backed by performance metrics and strategic insights.

πŸ’‘ Key strengths:
πŸ’ Workflow integration and optimization
πŸ₯ HR and team alignment
πŸ‹ Performance-driven operational strategies
πŸ“ Scalable systems implementation

Wrapping Up: Fractional COOs for Hiree Transforming Operations

These Fractional COOs for hire bring unique perspectives and expertise to small and medium businesses, helping them scale effectively while maintaining operational clarity. By leveraging their experience in process optimization, HR integration, and workflow automation, companies gain executive-level guidance on demand, without the cost of a full-time hire.

Key takeaways from hiring a Fractional COO:

  • Streamlined operations and process efficiency
  • Scalable systems for sustainable growth
  • Integrated HR practices and team development
  • Data-driven operational decision-making

At Digital Reference, we curate top-tier professionals across operations, finance, HR, and marketing. Our goal is to connect businesses with leaders who drive efficiency, scalability, and strategic growth. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, our Fractional COOs provide the operational expertise needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

πŸ‘‰ Check out more from Digital Reference:
♦️ Business Transformation Consulting Services in Australia
♦️Best Fractional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Services in Canada
♦️ Top Outsourced & Fractional COO Agencies in the USA‍

Fractional leadership isn’t just about cost savingsβ€”it’s about precision, insight, and actionable strategy. With the right Fractional COO, your business can navigate operational complexity confidently, scale efficiently, and focus on what truly matters: growth, culture, and innovation.

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