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What is a Fractional Executive?

Marquis H. Barnett, Ed.D., SHRM-SCP

In today’s dynamic business environment, strategic people leadership is more critical than ever. There are no substitutions for sound people practices. According to the Center for American Progress, applications for new businesses in the United States grew to more than 5.5 million in 2023, and has stayed consistent (Clark & Mason, 2024).

But, not every organization has the employee count or financial support to commit to a full-time, C-suite executive. This is where the Fractional Chief HR Officer (CHRO) or Chief People Officer (CPO) steps in, offering a flexible and high-impact solution that is rapidly gaining popularity.

FRACTIONAL CHRO

A Fractional CHRO (or CPO) is a highly experienced, executive-level people leader who provides strategic guidance and leadership to organizations on a part-time or project basis. Unlike a temporary interim executive focused on a specific short-term results, or a consultant who simply advises, the Fractional CHRO embeds themselves within your leadership team to drive long-term, strategic people initiatives.

They perform the same critical functions as a full-time CHRO—overseeing talent acquisition, developing training programs, leading organizational design, and ensuring compliance—but dedicate a fraction of their time to your business. This model allows organizations to access top-tier expertise, often held by leaders with certifications like the Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®) or the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), without the corresponding full-time salary, benefits, and long-term commitment.

ORIGINS

A Brief History of Fractional Leadership

While the role of the Fractional CHRO is a relatively recent phenomenon, the concept of fractional executive leadership has its roots in the early 2000s, primarily with the rise of the Fractional CFO (Noble, 2025). The practice evolved from the long-standing use of interim executives and specialized consultants.

However, the model truly gained traction and expanded beyond finance in the late 2010s and, most significantly, was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Christopher Group, a leader in executive search and placement, as remote work became normalized and companies faced economic uncertainty and rapid workforce changes, the ability to hire senior talent on flexible terms became an essential business strategy.

As the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has noted, the modern CHRO faces immense pressure from technological transformation and the need to maintain a skilled, motivated workforce. The fractional model emerged as a practical way to address these complex needs quickly and cost-effectively.

GOING FRACTIONAL

The rise of the Fractional CHRO is more than a staffing trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how smart businesses are securing high-level talent to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce. They offer the strategic leadership and agility required to turn people management into a competitive advantage.

Let’s schedule time to talk to figure out whether considering a Fractional CHRO is something that could benefit your organization!

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REFERENCES