Fractional Managing Director – Pre-Revenue Beauty Start-Up

Veblen International; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

A pre-revenue beauty start-up in London is seeking an experienced fractional Managing Director to guide its growth. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership in beauty or consumer start-ups, strong D2C expertise, and experience in developing retail strategies. This part-time role offers a chance to shape the brand for its market launch and could evolve into a permanent position as the business grows.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in beauty, lifestyle, or consumer start-ups.
• Strong D2C expertise with the ability to build high-performing ecommerce models.
• Experience developing retail strategy, including channel partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Guide the business through its next stage of growth.
• Partner with founders to shape strategy and build infrastructure.
• Prepare the brand for market launch.

Skills

Leadership experience in beauty, lifestyle, or consumer start-ups

D2C expertise

Retail strategy development

Commercial model building

Investor-facing skills

Agile operations

Job description

Overview

We are working with an ambitious pre-revenue beauty start-up seeking an experienced fractional Managing Director to guide the business through its next stage of growth. This is an opportunity to partner with founders at the earliest stage—shaping strategy, building infrastructure, and preparing the brand for launch. You will bring the commercial rigour and operational expertise needed to move from concept to market, establishing a scalable foundation for investment and growth.

Responsibilities

Guides the business through its next stage of growth. Partners with founders to shape strategy, build operational infrastructure, and prepare the brand for launch. Move from concept to market and establish a scalable foundation for investment and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in beauty, lifestyle, or consumer start-ups.
• Strong D2C expertise with the ability to build high-performing ecommerce models and customer journeys.
• Experience developing retail strategy, including channel partnerships and distribution planning.
• Skilled in shaping structure, people, and performance to enable long-term scale.
• Track record of building commercial models, operational frameworks, and go-to-market plans.
• Investor-facing skills with experience preparing businesses for fundraising or market entry.
• Agile, hands-on operator, comfortable in fast-paced entrepreneurial environments.

Engagement

This role is offered on a fractional/part-time basis, ideal for a senior leader passionate about shaping and scaling early-stage businesses, with a view to ramping up into a permanent role with increased presence in the business as it grows.