Ongoing Advisory Support Senior Technical Leadership, Without the $300K+ Salary
You need an experienced technical leader making architecture decisions, guiding your team, and keeping your engineering strategy on track — but you don't need (or can't justify) a full-time CTO. That's exactly what I do.
Why Ongoing Advisory?
If any of these sound like your situation, advisory support is the right fit.
Outgrown Your Technical Co-founder
Your co-founder was great at building the MVP, but scaling to the next level requires a different kind of leadership.
Can't Justify a Full-Time CTO
You need CTO-level expertise for decisions and strategy, but not 40 hours a week. You need senior guidance at a fraction of the cost.
Need Implementation Support
You completed an assessment or strategy project and now need ongoing guidance to execute the recommendations successfully.
Decisions Are Stalling
Technical decisions pile up because nobody has the experience or authority to make them. Your team is stuck waiting.
Three Levels of Advisory Support
Flexible ongoing partnership tailored to your needs
Strategic Advisory
- Implementation guidance
- Monthly strategy sessions
- Email support for decisions
- Architecture reviews
- Hiring recommendations
Implementation Leadership
- Implementation guidance and oversight
- Active team leadership
- Architecture decisions
- Process implementation
- Hiring and interviews
- Progress reporting
Intensive Partnership
- Comprehensive CTO support
- Full implementation oversight
- Board participation
- Team management
- Strategic planning
- Executive reporting
How It Works
Flexible engagement that adapts to your needs
Assessment
I start by understanding your current situation, technical challenges, and business goals
Level Selection
Choose the right level of involvement for your stage and budget
Engagement
Begin working together with clearly defined expectations and success metrics
Scale Up/Down
Adjust the engagement level as your needs evolve — no long-term lock-in
Common Questions
How is this different from hiring a full-time CTO?
You get senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost. A full-time CTO costs $300K+ in salary alone, plus equity, benefits, and the risk of a bad hire. With advisory support, you get the same caliber of strategic guidance starting at $1,500/month — and you can scale up or down as your needs change.
Can I change engagement levels?
Absolutely. Most clients start at Advisory level and scale up to Leadership or Partnership as they grow. I can also scale down if your needs change. There's no long-term contract — just a 30-day notice period.
Do you help with actual technical work or just strategy?
I focus on leadership and strategy — architecture decisions, team structure, process design, hiring, and executive communication. At Leadership and Partnership levels, I provide hands-on architecture guidance, but I don't write production code. Think of me as the person who makes sure your team is building the right things the right way.
How long do most engagements last?
Most clients work with me for 12-24 months. Some start with shorter terms and extend, others need longer-term partnerships as they scale. I also help with the transition when you're ready to hire a full-time CTO.
What if we decide to hire a full-time CTO?
That's a great outcome. I help with the transition process, including defining the role, evaluating candidates, and onboarding your new CTO. My goal is to make myself unnecessary.
Do I need to complete a project before starting advisory support?
No. While many clients start with a Technical Assessment and then move to advisory, you can start with advisory support directly. I'll use the first month to understand your situation and build a strategic plan.
What if I'm not sure which level I need?
Let's talk. I'll recommend the right level based on your situation, and we can always adjust. Most clients find their fit within the first month.
Want a Quick Gut Check First?
Take the free Engineering Health Check to see where your team stands. Five minutes, instant results — no commitment required.
Ready for Ongoing Technical Leadership?
Stop making critical technical decisions without experienced guidance. Let's talk about what your team needs and find the right level of support.