Get AI director-level oversight for a third of the cost. Your specialist doesn't just recommend — they build, run, and own results.
Quick Answer
A Fractional AI Director Who Builds — Not Just Advises — Get AI director-level oversight for a third of the cost. Your specialist doesn't just recommend — they build, run, and own results. Businesses using Ironback see $95K+ average waste found per company.
The Problem
Hiring an AI director costs $180K–$250K plus benefits. Most small service businesses can't justify that — but they still need someone steering the AI strategy, choosing the right tools, and making sure everything actually works.
What Ironback Is
What Ironback Is Not
How It Compares
| Fractional AI Director (Ironback) | Full-Time AI Director | AI Consultant | No AI Leadership | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | $42K–$66K | $180K–$250K+ | $50K–$200K (project) | $0 upfront |
| Builds systems | ✓ | ✓ | Recommends only | Nobody does |
| Stays long-term | ✓ | ✓ | Leaves after project | N/A |
| Trade expertise | ✓ | Must train | Rarely | N/A |
| Time to value | 2 weeks | 3–6 months | 3–6 months | Never |
| Guaranteed ROI | $50K+ or refund | No | No | No |
Industries We Serve
We specialize in specialty trades and high-urgency service businesses.
Results You Can Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
A consultant delivers recommendations. A fractional AI director sets the strategy, builds the systems, operates them, and stays to make sure they work. You get director-level oversight without the $250K salary.
Your specialist is embedded in your business — they attend team meetings, have access to your systems, and are available during business hours. This isn't a 2-hour monthly check-in.
Absolutely. Part of what we build is documented systems and processes. When you're ready to hire internally, everything is transferable — SOPs, dashboards, automations, and trained workflows.
Service companies doing $2M–$15M a year with 25–50 people on the payroll. Mostly fire sprinkler, fire suppression, HVAC, biohazard, generators, compressed air, boilers, and hydraulic repair — trades where missed calls and slow ops cost real money.
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Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll map out where your operations are leaking money and show you the ROI timeline.