In practice, I see organisations reaching this point when:

 

• • Growth flattens out while the amount of marketing activity increases

• • Marketing does a lot, but the commercial impact is hard to explain

• • Founders take a step back, with no real ownership of growth invested

• • Digital or transformation initiatives get stuck between strategy and execution

• • Teams busy but priorities increasingly diffuse

Right now, hiring a full-time CMO is often too early. The scope is not yet clear, the organisation not yet set up, and the role risks becoming operational too soon.

A part-time CMO is most effective when an organisation needs:
- Decision-making at board level
- Clear growth priorities
- Coherence between strategy, structure and execution
- Leadership that builds independence rather than dependence

It is a temporary leadership role, aimed at creating focus, rhythm and a growth system that continues to function after the task is completed.

Briefly:
You don't hire a part-time chief marketing officer to do more marketing.
But to make better choices and implement them consistently.