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Forward Share Network
Product Leadership Expert Operator – Jess Fredican
Get Matched in 48 Hours →A fractional Head of Product steps in as the operating product leader for companies between full-time hires or scaling product functions – owning roadmap, team leadership, and engineering-stakeholder alignment. Jess Fredican has served as fractional Head of Product across eight B2B SaaS and consumer platforms at Forward Share Ventures.
Why companies need a fractional Head of Product
The gap between a departing product leader and a new full-time hire is typically four to six months. In that window, roadmap decisions get made by committee, engineering loses direction, and stakeholder alignment breaks down. A fractional Head of Product expert operator fills that gap – not as a placeholder, but as the operating product leader from day one.
What a fractional HoP engagement with Jess looks like
Jess begins every engagement with a two-week product audit: roadmap review, team capacity assessment, stakeholder interview series, and a backlog prioritization session. From there, she runs the product function: quarterly planning, sprint ceremonies, product reviews, and cross-functional alignment meetings. She also hires and ramps the full-time Head of Product when the time comes – she builds the role spec, runs the process, and ensures the handoff lands.
When a fractional Head of Product is the right call
Three situations: (1) Between product leaders and need someone operating, not just advising. (2) A first-time Head of Product hire in a role that needs structure before a permanent leader is brought on. (3) A company scaling product function from 3 to 12 engineers that needs an experienced expert operator to build the operating model before a VP Product is ready to join.
A STAR case from the Forward Share Ventures network
Situation: A Series A B2B SaaS company ($3M ARR) lost their Head of Product to a competitor. Engineering was at 12 FTE with no operating structure, roadmap was driven by sales requests, and the board was asking for a product-led growth thesis before the Series B deck was built.
Result: Fractional HoP engagement ran 16 weeks. Roadmap rebuilt around user activation and expansion revenue signals. PLG thesis completed and presented to board. Full-time VP Product hired and ramped in week 14. Engineering velocity increased by 40% measured by sprint completion rate.
"The hardest part of a product gap isn't the roadmap – it's the trust gap between engineering and the rest of the company. You rebuild that by showing up with a clear process and consistent decisions, not by being brilliant."
– Jess Fredican, Product Management Expert Operator, Forward Share Ventures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request an introduction to this expert operator?
Submit a brief through the match form at Forward Share Network. The team reviews your situation, confirms the expert operator's availability, and arranges a 20-minute introductory call – typically within 48 hours of your submission. No commitment is required before the intro call.
What engagement formats are available?
Three main structures: a structured advisory seat (one 60-minute session per month plus async availability), a scoped consulting project (30, 60, or 90 days with defined deliverables), or a strategic advisory retainer for ongoing functional partnership. The right format depends on your situation and timeline.
How much time does a typical engagement require?
Advisory engagements run roughly 2–3 hours per month per company, including the structured session and async exchanges. Scoped projects are more intensive for the duration – scope and time commitment are defined at kickoff. Most expert operators carry 2–4 active engagements simultaneously.
Are there placement fees or exclusivity arrangements?
No placement fees. Forward Share Network operates on an engagement model, not a transactional staffing model. Expert operators are not exclusive to any company – they bring the perspective of working across multiple situations simultaneously, which is a core part of the value.
What if my situation changes mid-engagement?
Engagements are structured with defined check-in milestones – typically at 30-day intervals. If your situation shifts, scope can be renegotiated at the next milestone. For scoped projects, the team can also configure a scope amendment before the halfway point if circumstances change materially.
Ready to match? No prep needed. 20 minutes.
Get Matched in 48 Hours →How It Works
Tell us your gap
20-minute read with Vish. We map the function, stage, and urgency — no deck required.
We match in 48 hours
You receive 1–3 STAR-verified operators matched to your exact situation — reviewed and accountable.
Deploy in days
No contract lock-in. Start with a sprint or ongoing engagement. Cancel any time.
How We Compare
The honest breakdown — what separates a Forward Share expert operator from your other options.
| Criteria | FSV Expert Operator | Staffing Agency | Full-Time Hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to deploy | 48 hours | 3–6 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Commitment | Cancel anytime | Contract-locked | 12+ months |
| Track record | STAR-verified outcomes | Resume-screened | References only |
| Cost model | Engagement-based, no fee | 20–30% placement fee | Base + equity + benefits |
| Quality | Top 5% — curated from 400+ | Available candidates | Best hire at this stage |
| Risk | Low — no long-term lock-in | Medium — fee non-refundable | High — mis-hire is 1.5–2× salary |
Find Your Expert in 48 Hours.
No prep needed. 20 minutes. You'll leave with a clear read on your gap — and the right operator to close it.
STAR-Verified · No Placement Fee · Cancel Anytime