Fractional Director of Operations

Companies that outgrow their operating model need a director of operations before they can afford one full-time. Kamyar Shah serves as fractional director of operations through World Consulting Group, delivering the hands-on operational management, team coordination, and execution discipline that scaling companies require.

48-72hr decision cycles
20-35% leadership output gain
2-3x execution volume

Why Companies Hire a Fractional Director of Operations

A director of operations owns the daily execution layer of the business. They manage cross-functional coordination, hold department heads accountable to deliverables, identify operational bottlenecks before they become revenue problems, and translate strategic priorities into operational plans.

Most companies between $2M and $30M need this function but cannot justify a $120,000 to $180,000 full-time hire. A fractional director of operations delivers the same leadership at $3,000 to $8,000 per month, engaged at the level the business actually requires.

Kamyar Shah and World Consulting Group have provided this function to over 650 companies. The fractional model is not a compromise. For companies at this stage, it is the correct structure.

What a Fractional Director of Operations Does

A fractional director of operations is not a consultant who writes reports. The role is an active operational leadership position. Kamyar Shah attends leadership meetings, reviews operational performance metrics, drives cross-functional coordination, and holds team members accountable to commitments.

On the design side, the engagement covers process documentation, workflow optimization, KPI development, and the management infrastructure that makes daily operations visible and correctable without constant CEO involvement.

On the execution side, the fractional director of operations actively manages projects, removes blockers, and ensures the operational plans that get built actually get implemented. The gap between strategy and execution closes because someone is accountable for closing it.

When to Hire a Fractional Director of Operations

Three signals indicate it is time for a fractional director of operations. First, the CEO is spending more than half their time on operational coordination instead of strategic priorities. When the CEO is the de-facto COO, the business has a structural problem, not a personnel problem.

Second, cross-functional coordination is failing. Projects miss deadlines not because individual contributors are underperforming but because handoffs between departments are unclear. A fractional director of operations owns those handoffs.

Third, the company is preparing for a transition -- a new market, a significant hire, an acquisition, or a funding round. Each of these events requires operational infrastructure that most companies at this stage have not yet built. The right time to build it is before the transition, not during it.

Schedule a Conversation

Book a 30-Minute Call with Kamyar Shah

No pitch. No sales process. One direct conversation about your operational challenge.

What a Fractional Director of Operations Delivers

Active operational leadership. Kamyar Shah functions as a working member of your leadership team, attending key meetings, reviewing performance data, and driving the operational coordination that keeps execution aligned with strategy.

Cross-functional accountability. Kamyar Shah installs the meeting cadences, reporting structures, and accountability mechanisms that make cross-functional execution reliable across departments.

Process and system design. Every critical workflow gets documented, optimized, and handed off to the team in a format that does not require the director of operations to be present to run correctly.

KPIs and operational visibility. Kamyar Shah builds the metrics, dashboards, and review cadences that give the CEO and leadership team accurate operational situational awareness in real time.

Client Results

What Clients Say

"Kamyar Shah is an excellent COO. He would be an outstanding COO for your company, bringing nothing but success. His high level of expertise and self-confidence paired with solid leadership skills ensure the design and implementation of policies that promote positive company culture and vision."
Brenda Doles, RN, MBA / President, HCRS, Inc.
"When we decided to dramatically increase the scale of our operations, we chose Kamyar for his experience and skills in Operations Management. His know-how in operations management, growth, and scaling has been indispensable in our effort and success."
Mark Griffin / CEO and Owner, Great State Dental Lab LLC
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fractional director of operations?
A fractional director of operations is an experienced operational executive who works with your company on a part-time or project basis, delivering the same leadership function as a full-time director of operations at a fraction of the cost.
How is a fractional director of operations different from a COO?
A COO typically carries broader strategic and organizational authority and works full-time. A fractional director of operations focuses on the execution layer -- cross-functional coordination, process management, team accountability, and operational performance.
How many hours per week does a fractional director of operations work?
Engagement depth ranges from 8 to 20 hours per week depending on company size and operational complexity. Most engagements begin at 10 to 12 hours per week, with the option to scale up or down as needs change.
How long does a fractional director of operations engagement run?
Engagements typically run 6 to 12 months. The first 90 days focus on diagnostic work, establishing operational visibility, and quick wins. Full operational transformation develops over the following months.
What does a fractional director of operations cost?
Engagements through World Consulting Group typically run $3,000 to $8,000 per month depending on scope and hours. Compared to a full-time director of operations at $120,000 to $180,000 annually, the fractional model delivers the same leadership at 25 to 40 percent of the cost.

Ready for Hands-On Operational Leadership?

Schedule a 30-minute conversation with Kamyar Shah. No pitch. One direct conversation about your operational challenges and what a fractional director of operations can solve.