Read the profile of Fabian Raum, Fractional COO in Germany, expert in SaaS, AI, and FMCG, specializing in operational strategy and scalable growth.
In a bright office in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Fabian Raum starts his day with a simple ritual: a strong coffee and a short list of priorities. “I write down a maximum of three things that must get done today. The rest is just noise,” he says in an interview published on his Toptal profile. It’s a discipline that has followed him since his early consulting days — and one he now applies in his roles as a Fractional COO.
Fabian is one of the German professionals who quickly understood that the executive job market is changing. Not all companies can — or want to — hire a full-time Chief Operating Officer. Yet many need the structure, rigor, and vision that a COO can bring. That’s how the fractional model emerged — and for Fabian, it was the perfect bridge between his vast expertise and his desire for professional flexibility.
From Consulting to Global Operations
Fabian’s career is built on over 12 years of experience in consulting and operational management. He began working on business development and strategy projects for FMCG companies, then transitioned into the tech sector — a far more dynamic but also less predictable space.
“In FMCG, I learned the importance of rigorous processes, standardization, and global scaling. In SaaS and AI, I found the opposite — uncertainty, accelerated growth, creative chaos. My mission has been to find the balance between these two worlds.”
Today, Fabian is also Head of Operations at AnyDesk Software GmbH, a German remote desktop software company that has seen exponential growth in recent years. There, he oversees complex operations — from revenue operations to sales pipeline optimization and the integration of digital tools for financial management.
What a Fractional COO Does in Germany
Fabian explains it simply: “A Fractional COO is an executive who joins a company for a few months or a few days per week, with a clear mission to bring structure and deliver immediate results. You’re not there to occupy a desk — you’re there to solve problems.”
His expertise spans several areas:
- SaaS – where he has built scaling frameworks and revenue processes.
- Artificial Intelligence – where he’s helped startups define their business models and attract investment.
- FMCG – where he’s brought operational rigor and cost optimization.
This versatility makes him especially valuable to companies that can’t afford to hire a full-time corporate-level executive but still need that caliber of strategic thinking.
Working Philosophy: Three Simple Steps
Fabian doesn’t overcomplicate things. His style is direct and German, yet flexible — shaped by his experience in the startup world. His process follows three steps:
- Rapid diagnosis – In the first week, he maps out all operational flows, from sales to supply chain.
- Clear prioritization – He identifies no more than 2–3 key objectives that can have an immediate impact.
- Hands-on execution – He implements processes, builds teams, and introduces monitoring tools.
“Success doesn’t come from PowerPoint plans. It comes from execution. My role is to put the right people in the right positions, with the right data and clear objectives.”
Examples of Impact
At a SaaS startup in Berlin, Fabian was brought in to solve a problem with stagnant revenue. The team had a great product, but sales weren’t growing.
“I discovered there was no clear funnel. I created one, implemented a tailored CRM, and restructured the sales process. Within six months, recurring revenue grew by 30%.”
At an FMCG company in Bavaria, the challenge was reducing costs.
“The supply chain processes were inefficient. I renegotiated supplier contracts and implemented a digital monitoring system. Result: costs dropped by 12% without affecting product quality.”
In an AI startup, the issue was a lack of clarity for investors.
“I built a robust financial model and created KPI dashboards. Investors said it was the first time they truly understood how the company makes money. Soon after, the startup successfully raised a seed round.”
Life Across Multiple Roles
One interesting aspect of Fabian’s career is how he balances his Head of Operations role at AnyDesk with his Fractional COO projects.
“It’s not easy, but the key is organization. I clearly divide my time: certain days are for the full-time company, others for fractional clients. And I learn from both sides — my AnyDesk experience helps me deliver better solutions to startups, and the startup dynamic makes me more agile in a corporate setting.”
This combination makes him a perfect example of what we now call the future of work: non-linear careers with multiple, cross-industry roles.
Challenges and Lessons
Fabian admits that not everything is easy.
“The biggest challenge is quickly earning the team’s trust. When you come in as a Fractional COO, people sometimes see you as a temporary consultant. You have to prove that you’re there to build — not just to observe.”
Another key lesson is personal balance.
“When working on multiple projects, you’re tempted to always say ‘yes.’ But I’ve learned that saying ‘no’ is sometimes more valuable — both for you and for the company.”
Germany and the Future of the Fractional Model
While the concept is already mature in the U.S., in Germany it’s only just beginning to gain traction. Fabian believes it will become the norm.
“German companies are traditional — they prefer stability and full-time hires. But economic reality — costs, talent shortages, the need for agility — will push them toward the fractional model. It’s inevitable.”
He also sees an opportunity to integrate this model with Germany’s efficiency-driven mindset.
“A Fractional COO isn’t just a temporary patch. It’s an accelerator. If integrated properly, it can radically transform how a company operates.”
Conclusion: Between Structure and Agility
Fabian Raum represents the perfect balance between two worlds: the rigor of FMCG and the fluidity of tech startups. He uses his experience to create durable structures — with the agility required in the digital era.
“I like to think of myself as a bridge builder — between founders’ vision and operational reality, between investors and teams, between chaos and clarity. And for me, that’s the essence of the Fractional COO role.”
