Fractional CAIO (Chief AI Officer)
Strategic AI leadership on retainer for universities and other knowledge-intensive organisations, including agencies and consultancies.
I embed 1-3 days per month to build governance, design AI operating systems around key workflows, and act as a critical friend to leadership.
The Problem
You have AI tools in the organisation, but:
- • There is no shared strategy or governance
- • Junior staff experiment; leadership worries about IP, brand, and quality
- • Clients start asking what you are doing with AI, and you do not have a coherent answer
- • You cannot afford a full-time AI leader, but ad-hoc experiments are burning budget
You need someone who can design the guardrails, test the workflows, and build credibility with both leadership and practitioners without a full-time salary.
What We Do Together
AI Readiness and Risk Audit
Map current AI use (official and unofficial), assess data and IP risks, and identify where governance gaps exist.
Define a Simple AI Strategy
Linked to clear commercial goals, not generic transformation decks. What workflows should AI touch? Where should it stay out?
Act as Critical Friend to Leadership
Vet vendor claims, challenge internal assumptions, and provide independent perspective on AI investments.
Design AI Operating Systems
Build 1-2 focused workflows (e.g., briefing, content production, reporting) with clear guidelines, QA processes, and team training.
Put Policies and Guardrails in Place
Not generic templates, but practical guidelines that your team can actually use. What is allowed? What requires review? What is off-limits?
How It Works
Phase 1: Discovery and Design (Weeks 1-4)
We start with a Discovery & Governance Sprint (see Discovery & Governance Sprint for details) to assess readiness and identify priority workflows.
I then design a simple AI operating model for 1-2 workflows, including governance framework, QA processes, and training plan.
Phase 2: Implementation (Months 2-3)
I embed 1-3 days per month to:
- Train staff on workflows and governance
- Pilot the first AI-enabled workflow with a small team
- Review outputs, iterate on processes, and document learnings
- Provide monthly strategic review with leadership
Phase 3: Scale and Refine (Month 4+)
Once the first workflow is stable, we either:
- Extend to additional workflows
- Transition to internal ownership (handover and exit)
- Continue as ongoing strategic advisor
Outputs
- AI operating model (roles, decision rights, cadence, escalation paths)
- Governance controls (policy, approval flow, documentation, and assurance checks)
- Implementation backlog (prioritised workflows, milestones, owners)
- Adoption plan (training, documentation, and maintenance ownership)
Typical Outcomes
- • Fewer hours spent on repetitive tasks (research, briefing, reporting)
- • Less chaotic, ad-hoc AI use, because clear guidelines mean less rework
- • Strategic AI use improving quality rather than cutting corners
- • Clear documentation of what is allowed, what is not, and why
- • Client confidence – you can credibly discuss your AI approach in pitches
- • Reduced leadership anxiety, because governance is in place rather than reactive
Investment
From £4,000/month (typical: £4,500–£6,500)
What moves the price:
- • Days embedded per month: 1 day/month (lower end) vs. 3 days/month (higher end)
- • Governance cadence: Quarterly review vs. monthly strategic meetings with leadership
- • Number of teams/workflows in scope: Single team pilot vs. org-wide rollout
- • Integration complexity: Simple policy guidelines vs. technical integrations and custom tooling
Minimum term: 3 months
Typical engagement: 3-6 month initial commitment, with option to extend or transition to internal ownership
Want more depth on this approach?
Read the AI strategy for creative and digital agencies guide.
Interested in Fractional CAIO support?
We start with a Discovery & Governance Sprint to assess fit and scope the engagement.
Apply for a Discovery & Governance SprintQuestions? Email [email protected]