Ben Candea
I help climate CEOs grow their companies by giving them the leverage they need
I'm a fractional chief of staff and operations leader who helps climate CEOs grow their companies by getting them back 15-30 hrs each week. I help leaders drowning in operational chaos shed the work that only looks urgent and important so that they can prioritize sales, product, and strategy.
I own back-office operations, lead special projects, and build systems that let you focus on what only you can do: driving your company forward. I embed in mission-driven Seed and Series A companies, building your company alongside you.
What I've done: grew contracted revenue 4x YoY by freeing 20+ hrs/wk for a Seed-stage CEO to sell, while running his sales meeting, CRM, forecast, and drafting proposals. Won a state innovation grant 9x the company's previous largest project after it failed to pass the first gate the prior year. Saved $80k and 100 hrs of exec time annually and cut forecast build time by 90% by implementing and running HubSpot as the company’s CRM. Cut a hardware company's excess inventory 25% by replacing napkin-math purchasing with a model that forecasted deficits months ahead. Reduced a financial close from weeks to 7 days.
I've partnered with CEOs across energy and climate adaptation. 12+ years of operations and strategy experience with companies in climate (Arcadia, Piclo, Noteworthy AI, 257, Monterra) and media (ESPN, ABC News).
Companies I’ve Worked With
My Expertise
Common tasks requested by my partners.
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Support principal's prioritization to make them more effective.
Execution
Investor relations
Communication strategy
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Streamline processes to enhance productivity.
Project management
KPIs and OKRs
Recruitment and onboarding
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Lead strategic initiatives from inception to delivery.
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Gain insights to make informed business decisions.
Go-to-market development
Identify opportunities and threats
Competitive analysis
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Boost brand visibility and increase credibility.
Writing
Editing
Social media
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Optimize finances for profitability and stability.
Budgeting
Forecasting
Cash flows
Benefits
Tasks
Add as many task requests to my to-do list.
Monthly Rate
Pay the same fixed price each month.
Flexibility
Scale up or down as needed.
Strategic Partner
Hands-on support from an experienced partner.
Simple Pricing
Plans that scale to your business and suit your needs.
Embedded into your business
Easy payment
Need something else? Let’s talk and figure out the ideal solution for you.
40 hours/month, starting at
$6,500/mo
Special projects
Rate dependent on scope
Frequently Asked Questions
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A fractional chief of staff is an experienced strategist and operator who works for you part-time on an hourly rate or flat fee retainer. Fractional COO/CoSs often help organizations design systems and processes, achieve growth, execute strategy, or raise new capital.
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The primary benefits of a fractional chief of staff include:
Strategic alignment: I help align teams and projects with your business goals so that everyone is working toward the same direction.
Operational efficiency: I execute tasks that would otherwise eat up your time, allowing you to focus on high-impact activities. If I'm doing my job well, I can save you 15-30 hours per week.
Improved communication: I act as a hub for internal communication, ensuring better knowledge and information flow across teams.
Project oversight: I manage and oversee key initiatives from beginning to end, collaborating with various stakeholders to successfully execute.
Decision support: I provide data-driven insights and analyses to support you in making more informed decisions.
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If the bullets below resonate with you, you likely need a CoS:
Struggling to find time for critical priorities
Stalled and often reacting to fire drills
Missing the support you need to think strategically and execute
Spending time on tasks that exhaust your energy
Becoming a decision bottleneck
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Hiring a full-time chief of staff can cost upwards of $300k when considering salary, benefits, and time spent interviewing and recruiting. The fractional model is typically more cost-effective, especially when considering you're only paying for expert support when you need it.
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Onboarding is comprehensive, so we can deep dive into your company's mission, values, and goals. I embed into the company, instead of working from afar, and regular check-ins ensure continued alignment.
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Of course! The fractional model offers flexibility -- whether your business is scaling or facing unforeseen challenges, my support can adjust to meet your specific needs at any given time.
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Most founders and CEOs eventually need a full-time CoS. I'm happy to help source, interview, and onboard your next CoS to ensure a seamless transition.
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COOs are focused on the overall health of the business, while a CoS is meant to support the principal. The CoS’s responsibilities often include communications support and driving, and aligning priorities. The CoS role is more behind-the-scenes than the COO, which can be more outward-facing. In small/early-stage companies, the work is typically similar.
