Fractional Leadership & Fractional Executives

Q: What is a fractional executive?

An experienced senior leader who works with a business part time on an ongoing basis, usually one to three days a week. They take responsibility for a function, such as finance, operations or marketing, and report to the CEO and board.

Q: What is the difference between fractional and interim leadership?

Interim executives work full time for a fixed period to deliver a specific outcome, such as covering a sudden departure or leading a turnaround. Fractional executives work part time on an ongoing basis, giving the business senior experience without a full-time appointment.

Q: How many days a week does a fractional executive work?

Most work one to three days a week. The time commitment is agreed at the start and can increase during busy periods, such as a fundraise or an acquisition, then reduce again.

Q: How much does a fractional executive cost?

Fractional executives are usually engaged on a day rate or a monthly fee for an agreed number of days. The cost depends on their experience, the role and the time required. It is usually much lower than the cost of a full-time executive.

Q: Can a fractional role become full time?

Yes. As a business grows, a fractional role sometimes becomes a full-time position. Some businesses ask their fractional executive to step up, while others run a permanent search. We can support either.

Q: What types of business use fractional executives?

Growing and founder-led businesses, PE-backed portfolio companies and established firms that need senior expertise in a specific area, such as finance, operations, marketing, HR or cyber security.

Fractional Executive Search

Not every business needs a full-time executive in every seat at the top table. Most still need the experience.

A fractional executive is an experienced leader who works with your business part time, usually one to three days a week, on an ongoing basis. They take real responsibility for their function, work alongside the CEO and board, and are accountable for results, without the cost or commitment of a full-time appointment.

Fractional leadership suits growing businesses, PE-backed portfolio companies and established firms that need senior expertise in a specific area. It is also a practical way to strengthen a leadership team before the business is ready for a permanent hire.

We find fractional leaders with the same research, networks and assessment we bring to every executive search.

Fractional Leadership Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Considering a fractional executive?

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Fractional Leadership Specialist

Matthew Searle

Director

Considering a fractional executive?

Talk to us about where your business is now and the leadership it needs next.

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Senior leadership, part time

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Discuss a Fractional Appointment

Fractional Roles We Fill

Fractional leaders work across the board and senior management team. Find out more about each role:

Fractional CFO

Financial strategy, forecasting, funding and investor reporting for businesses that need board-level finance input, but not five days a week.

Fractional COO

Operational leadership to build processes, scale delivery and free the CEO to focus on growth.

Fractional CMO

Marketing strategy, brand and commercial growth, with the experience to lead the team and report to the board.

Fractional CEO and MD

Experienced chief executives and managing directors to support a founder, guide strategy or lead a specific programme.

Fractional HR Director

People strategy, culture, organisation design and employee relations, led by an experienced HR director.

Fractional CIO and CISO

Technology and cyber security leadership, from IT strategy to board-level reporting on security risk.

What Is Fractional Leadership?

Fractional leadership means bringing in a senior executive for part of the week, on an ongoing basis, to lead a function or programme.

A fractional executive is not a consultant advising from the outside. They take ownership of their area, manage people, make decisions and report to the CEO and board in the same way a full-time executive would.

The arrangement is flexible. The number of days is agreed at the start and can increase during busy periods, such as a fundraise, an acquisition or a major project, then reduce again.

When Does a Business Need a Fractional Executive?

Usually when it needs senior expertise in one area but cannot yet justify, or does not need, a full-time appointment.

The business has outgrown its current leadership but is not ready for a full-time executive
An investor or board wants stronger leadership in finance, operations or another function
A founder needs experienced support to step back from day-to-day management

A PE-backed portfolio company needs board-level capability quickly and cost-effectively
A specialist area, such as cyber security or marketing, needs senior leadership a few days a week
The business wants to test a role before making a permanent appointment

The Benefits of Fractional Leadership

Fractional leaders give a business senior experience in a form that fits its stage.

Experience: Executives who have done the job before, often in larger or more complex businesses
Flexibility: Time can be scaled up or down as the business changes
Cost: Usually far lower than the salary and package of a full-time executive
Speed: Experienced fractional leaders are used to getting up to speed quickly
Perspective: An outside view, combined with real accountability for results

Fractional, Interim or Permanent?

Each option suits a different situation.

Fractional: Part time and ongoing. Suits businesses that need senior expertise, but not five days a week.

Interim: Full time for a fixed period, with a defined outcome. Suits urgent gaps, turnarounds and transactions.

Permanent: A long-term appointment through executive search. Suits roles the business needs full time for the foreseeable future.

For a fuller comparison, read our guide Interim, Fractional or Permanent?

Testimonials

Novo ran a highly professional and thorough search process, bringing forward an impressive list of candidates for our consideration

RECCo

We were delighted with Novo’s work and efforts. Theye significantly contributed to achieving our goal. We therefore would have no hesitation in recommending Novo to any other organisation looking for help or advice in executive recruitment.

Chiorino UK Ltd

Novo’s Legal Team were retained to recruit a Partner. Through a targeted and comprehensive headhunting assignment process Novo were successful in appointing an excellent Partner for the practice.

Bray & Bray Solicitors

“My personal experience with Novo was really good. They had all the information I needed whilst being professional, discreet and considerate, which ultimately made the whole process extremely smooth.” Account Director, Catalina Marketing

Catalina Marketing

Novo supported us with carefully selected executive and non-executive search campaigns; all three roles were successfully filled. Thank you.

Central Bedfordshire Council

As a result of Novo’s commitment and hard work we have acquired five very good businesses; a great team effort. We plan to embark on a third round of acquisitions next year and will have no hesitation in choosing Novo as a partner.

Clearsprings Support Services Ltd

How We Find Fractional Leaders

The best fractional executives are experienced, in demand and selective about where they commit their time. Finding the right one takes the same care as a permanent appointment.

Brief: We agree the stage of the business, the priorities for the role and the number of days it needs.

Search: We identify fractional leaders with relevant sector and growth experience through our research team and established networks.

Fit: We assess how each candidate will work with the founder, CEO and board, as well as their functional experience.

Review: We stay in touch as the business grows, so the arrangement can change when the business needs more, or less, of their time.