Fractional COO, AI Character Production – $10k/90 days

We are seeking an experienced fractional COO to lead a 90-day engagement validating an AI character production business. The company has already invested in capital and development, but lacks a reliable operating model. Your core mandate is to answer one critical question: can believable AI characters be produced deliberately, repeatedly, and at known cost, rather than sporadically through trial and error. This is not a content-production role, nor are we seeking someone to personally operate AI tools. You will take full ownership of the validation process, beginning with a comprehensive audit of existing characters, image libraries, accounts, tooling, workflows, and prior investment. You'll establish written standards defining acceptable character assets across identity consistency, facial geometry, skin texture, lighting behavior, and photographic credibility. Working with technical specialists, you'll develop and oversee a generation and quality-control process that maintains these standards at scale. Your deliverable is a data-driven recommendation to management based on evidence gathered during the 90-day period. Publishing, audience growth, and monetization are secondary priorities until the core production model is validated. Success requires strong operational thinking, the ability to manage experimentation within budget constraints, and clarity in translating complex technical challenges into measurable outcomes.