Jonathan Wharton
Fractional COO
I bridge the gap between vision and daily operations by building the infrastructure companies need to execute effectively.
What I do
I'm a fractional COO who works with organizations at inflection points—when systems are breaking, growth is outpacing infrastructure, or you need to professionalize operations but can't justify a full-time hire.
I don't just advise, I implement. CRM and HRMS platforms. Performance management frameworks. Financial systems. Process redesign. Whatever operational infrastructure you're missing, I build it.
When to bring me in
Your systems are holding you back (CRM chaos, manual processes, disconnected tools)
You're scaling faster than your operational infrastructure
You need real HR, finance, or governance systems but don't know where to start
Your team is drowning in operations instead of focusing on strategy
You're between executives or need interim leadership
Track record
Steered multiple successful system implementations and outsourcing initiatives (CRM, HRMS, finance, health records, call centre)
Led a return to profitability for a publicly-traded company
Improved employee engagement from 49% to 80%
Identified $6M in operational savings
>20 years executive operational leadership + MBA
$M+ budgets, 100+ team size
Testimonials
Jonathan has a sharp eye for strategy. He found a major gap in our messaging that we had completely overlooked, and the resulting increase in sales was immediate.
- Joel Tennison, VP Corporate Development, RS Technologies (former)
I can't recommend him highly enough. He stepped into a complex situation and immediately unstuck our HRMS project, revamped our internal policies, and provided the strategic marketing direction we were missing. A true multi-talented leader.
- Lee Herrin, Managing Director, Scale Collaborative
Jonathan was instrumental in navigating several critical business decisions. He ensured we maximized our CRM investment and led the modernization of our HR and IT functions. His ability to bridge the gap between strategy and technology is a major asset.
- Bob Penner, CEO, Stratcom
How we work together
Monthly Retainers (most common): 10-20 hours/month of ongoing strategic support—a part-time COO on your leadership team.Project-Based Engagements: Specific outcomes with defined timelines, e.g. CRM implementations, process redesigns, governance frameworks. Quoted based on scope.Most clients start with a 3-6 month retainer focused on the highest-priority
operational challenges.
Free discovery call
Let's see if we're a fit.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between fractional and project-based work?
Fractional COO: Ongoing strategic support, typically 10-20 hours/month on a monthly retainer. I'll be a part-time member of your leadership team.Project-Based: Specific outcomes with defined timelines—system implementations, process redesigns, operational audits, strategic planning. We agree on deliverables upfront.
How much does it cost?
Monthly retainers typically range from $4,000-$12,000 depending on scope and hours. Project-based engagements are quoted based on complexity and deliverables. We'll discuss your specific needs and budget on the discovery call.
Do I need to know exactly what I need before we talk?
Not at all. Most clients know something isn't working but aren't sure what the right solution is. That's what the discovery call is for: we'll diagnose together and figure out the best approach.
What happens in a discovery call?
We'll spend 30-45 minutes discussing:
- What's working and what's not in your operations
- Your goals and constraints
- Whether fractional, interim, or project-based work makes sense
- How we'd structure an engagement
No pressure, no sales pitch. If it's not a fit, I'll tell you.
How quickly can you start?
Typically 1-2 weeks from signed agreement, depending on current client load.If you need someone to start immediately, let's discuss on the discovery call.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
I'm based in Victoria, BC and work primarily remote/virtual with clients across Canada. For local clients or critical implementations, on-site work can be arranged.
What types of organizations do you work with?
I work with growth-stage companies (typically $5M-$50M revenue) and mission-driven non-profits ($2M-$20M budgets). My sweet spot is organizations that need operational leadership but can't justify or don't yet need a full-time COO.
What if I just need a quick consultation, not ongoing work?
I offer one-off consultations for specific questions or decisions, e.g. vendor selection advice, strategic planning sessions, operational audits. We can discuss options on the discovery call.
How do I know if I need a fractional COO vs. just hiring a consultant?
If you need someone to tell you what to do, hire a consultant.If you need someone to actually implement it—build the systems, manage the projects, run the operations, lead the team—you need a fractional COO.I do both advising and execution, so we'll figure out what makes sense for your situation.
Ready to discuss your operational challenges? Let's have a chat.
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