Fractional VP of Sales vs. Full-Time VP of Sales: When to Hire Which

Hiring a full-time VP of Sales is one of the largest bets a growing company makes — often $250K–$400K+ in total comp, plus equity, ramp time, and real risk if the hire is wrong. A Fractional VP of Sales offers the same caliber of leadership on a part-time retainer.

Choose a Fractional VP of Sales when:

•   You need senior sales leadership now but can't yet justify a full-time salary

•   Your team is small enough that it doesn't require full-time oversight

•   You need to build the foundation before a full-time leader can succeed

•   You want to de-risk and prove the model before a permanent hire

•   You've been burned by a full-time sales hire before

Choose a full-time VP of Sales when:

•   Your team and pipeline demand daily, dedicated leadership

•   Sales complexity requires constant in-house presence

•   You have the runway and revenue to absorb the cost and ramp

The under-appreciated path: fractional first, then full-time.

Many companies use a Fractional VP to stabilize the team, build the infrastructure, and define the role — then hire a full-time VP into a functioning system with a clear scorecard. That sequencing dramatically improves the odds the full-time hire succeeds. Bedrock does exactly this and helps recruit and onboard that person when you're ready.