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Tier 3

Lead the Function

Fractional AI leadership on retainer. Senior judgment and hands-on execution, without the cost or commitment of a full-time CAO. For companies past the pilot stage who need someone accountable for outcomes.

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Tier 3 is a fit if:

  • You've run at least one AI pilot and want to scale what's working
  • You need someone accountable for AI across the business, not just one team
  • You want senior AI strategy without hiring a full-time executive
  • Your board or investors want to see AI ROI reporting
  • You're 100–500 people with a real P&L and real margin pressure

Probably not a fit if:

  • You haven't done any AI exploration yet (start with Tier 1)
  • You need a single tool implemented (that's a freelance project, not fractional)

Three engagement levels

Match the commitment to where you are

Strategic advisory

Fractional AI Strategy Advisor

From $5,500/month · 3-month minimum

Senior strategic direction on AI without hands-on implementation. Monthly strategy sessions, quarterly opportunity refresh, and a senior thinking partner who keeps your AI strategy honest as the landscape shifts.

  • Typical engagement: 9–18 months
  • ~8–10 hours per month
  • Strategy direction only, no hands-on execution
  • Best for: companies exploring AI at board/exec level
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Core Tier 3 product

Fractional Chief AI Officer

From $12,000/month · 3-month minimum

A hands-on fractional AI leader who quarterbacks adoption across functions, ships pilots, manages governance, and produces the quarterly ROI evidence boards expect. This is the core Tier 3 product.

  • Typical engagement: 12–18 months
  • ~18–22 hours per month
  • Strategy + pilot execution + governance + ROI reporting
  • Best for: 50–500 person companies scaling AI company-wide
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Near full-time

Embedded AI Officer

From $22,000/month · 3-month minimum

A near-full-time fractional AI leadership role. Weekly presence, company-wide training rollout, board-ready reporting, and executive ownership of AI as a strategic function.

  • Typical engagement: 12–24 months
  • ~32–40 hours per month
  • Near-full-time executive presence and oversight
  • Best for: companies treating AI as a core strategic function
Apply

What a retainer includes

What you actually get in a Tier 3 engagement

Not advisory memos. Not slide decks. Tangible deliverables that move AI from strategy to shipped capability, every month.

  • AI Roadmap (Month 1)

    A scoped 90-day plan with prioritized pilots, governance requirements, and success metrics.

  • Pilot execution oversight

    Weekly check-ins with pilot teams. Troubleshooting. Decisions made, not deferred.

  • AI governance framework

    Approved tool list, data handling policy, and an AI usage policy your team can actually follow.

  • Quarterly ROI board report

    Evidence of what shipped, what saved time or money, and what to invest in next quarter.

  • Team capability building

    Coordinated with Tier 2 cohort programs when needed. Builds internal capability, not dependency.

How engagements start

From application to kickoff in 3–4 weeks

1

Apply

Short contact form. Tell us your company size, what you've done with AI, and what you're trying to accomplish.

2

Scoping call

45-minute call. We'll be direct about fit. If Tier 3 isn't right for your stage, we'll tell you what is.

3

Proposal

Scoped engagement with level, hours, deliverables, and a 90-day roadmap outline. Fixed monthly retainer.

4

Kickoff

Month 1 begins with a discovery sprint. AI Opportunity audit, stakeholder interviews, first deliverable in 30 days.

Pricing at a glance

  • Fractional AI Strategy Advisor From $5,500/month
  • Fractional Chief AI Officer From $12,000/month
  • Embedded AI Officer From $22,000/month

3-month minimum engagement on all retainers. Final pricing scoped after a 45-minute discovery call.

Massachusetts employers: may be eligible for Workforce Training Fund grant funding, see funding FAQ.

Common questions about Tier 3

Three months minimum for all Tier 3 engagements. Most run 12–18 months because meaningful AI adoption takes time to build and measure. We don't do one-month engagements, not because of revenue, but because 30 days isn't long enough to produce the outcomes boards expect.

Ready to apply?

Fill out a short form. We'll schedule a scoping call within two business days and be direct about whether Tier 3 is the right fit for where you are.

Apply for a Tier 3 engagement

Not sure which tier? Take the free AI Opportunity Report