Fractional Business Operations Manager

Fractional Head of Business Operations

(Solo Architecture Practice)

Engagement Type: Part-time / Fractional

Time Commitment: 2–4 hours per week

Cadence: Weekly 60-minute stand-up (standing meeting)

Location: Remote (Pacific Time preferred)

Term: 60-day pilot, extendable

About the Practice

I operate a one-person architecture practice focused on thoughtful, high-quality residential work. The practice is intentionally small and design-driven. My priority is to spend my time on design, judgment, and client relationships—not triaging every inbound request or context-switching unnecessarily.

I’m seeking a fractional Head of Business Operations to act as a periscope—someone who fields new inquiries, filters for fit, and helps ensure my limited time is spent productively and deliberately.

This is not a sales role, a marketing role, or a virtual assistant role. It is a judgment, filtering, and cadence role.

Role Summary

You will be the first point of contact for all new business inquiries and a weekly thinking partner to the principal. Your job is to protect the principal’s time, improve decision quality, and maintain a clear, calm operating rhythm for a small practice.

You will operate with autonomy, discretion, and good taste.

Core Responsibilities

Inbound Inquiry Triage (Primary Function)

• Serve as first contact for all new project inquiries
• Screen for:

-- Budget realism

-- Scope and timeline alignment

-- Client quality and communication style

-- Jurisdiction / project type fit

• Decline misaligned inquiries politely and professionally
• Surface only qualified, high-signal opportunities to the principal
• Prepare concise summaries and recommendations (pursue / decline / clarify)

Weekly Principal Stand-Up (60 Minutes)

• Own the agenda and structure of the weekly stand-up
• Review:

-- New inquiries and recommendations

-- Active pipeline

-- Decisions the principal must make that week

-- Risks to time, focus, or energy

• Keep the meeting efficient, grounded, and decision-oriented

Time & Focus Protection

• Help ensure the principal’s time aligns with:

-- Revenue priorities

-- Design depth

-- Reduced context switching

• Flag low-leverage work, overload, or misalignment early

What This Role Is Not

This role does not involve:

• Design work or drafting
• Project management of consultants
• Marketing execution or social media
• Scheduling every meeting
• “Scaling” the firm aggressively

This role is about judgment, filtering, and clarity.

Traits That Matter

• Excellent judgment and discretion
• Comfortable saying “no” on behalf of a principal
• Calm, organized, and direct communicator
• Enjoys shaping work more than owning it
• Respects creative focus and deep work

Logistics

• Time: 2–4 hours/week
• Cadence: Weekly 60-minute stand-up
• Location: Remote (Pacific Time preferred)
• Compensation: $75–$125/hr or $750–$1,500/month retainer
• Term: 60-day pilot, extendable
• Equity: None

How to Reach Out

If this resonates, please send:

• A brief note on your background and why this role appeals to you
• Examples of how you’ve protected a founder or principal’s time
• Your availability and preferred engagement structure

Referrals welcome.