What is fractional work?
Fractional work is part-time work, embedded into the company, and performed by senior experts. They’re typically paid on a monthly retainer, too. It mirrors full-time responsibilities, but is delivered in fewer hours per week for less cost.
Fractional work brings experienced operators (CMOs, CFOs, HR experts, Engineering Leaders, etc.) into a company for a part-time commitment (e.g., 10 hours per week). These leaders embed with your team, own outcomes tied to KPIs, and operate with the accountability of a senior employee. The primary differences between fractional and full-time employees are time commitment and contract type.
Fractional Roles are Part-time by Design
Instead of assuming every role requires a minimum of 40 hours, fractional engagements are custom-fit for the actual need the company has. Companies get expert-level output within a certain time commitment, and within a certain budget.
Fractionals are Typically Paid on a Monthly Retainer
Most fractionals bill on a monthly retainer, meaning a set $X,000 per month, for a time commitment like X hours per week or Y days per month. This structure reflects an ongoing, embedded relationship (not a one-off project) and sets expectations for availability, deliverables, and performance.
Fractionals are Senior Experts with Experience
Most fractional professionals have 10+ years of leadership experience in their domain. They step in quickly to provide strategic direction and hands-on execution, managing teams and vendors where relevant. Responsibilities are comparable to full-time senior roles: setting strategy, running reviews, owning plans, and delivering measurable results.
What Fractional Work is Not
- A replacement when you need someone full-time, i.e. 40 hrs per week, with full-time availability. If so, you should hire a full-time employee.
- A fit for a single, scoped deliverable. For this, you should hire a freelancer or project-based consultant.
Examples
- Fractional CMO: Owns positioning, pipeline, paid media, and lifecycle programs; manages vendors; reports weekly on growth metrics.
- Fractional CFO: Builds the operating model and cash plan, runs board reporting, sets controls, and guides hiring/spend.
- Fractional Engineering Leader: Sets architecture, leads sprints, mentors ICs, and enforces quality across the roadmap.
The Bottom Line
Fractional work is senior leadership delivered on a flexible, retainer based schedule with full time responsibilities and accountability, structured to match the exact hours the organization needs.
To read a more in-depth guide on what fractional work is, and isn’t, see our Playbook here.
Related FAQs
What is Fractional Jobs?
Fractional Jobs is the largest talent network for fractional leaders and the companies looking to hire them.
For fractional executives and other fractional talent, Fractional Jobs offers the Playbooks to break into fractional work successfully, the Tools to help you run your fractional business, and of course, the jobs. Every week we’re launching new jobs across 10+ function areas on our website and in our newsletter.
For startups, SMBs, and other companies that want to hire fractional talent, Fractional Jobs will help you find the perfect fractional for your need. You’ll tell us who you’re looking for, we’ll connect you to the best candidates, and you can hire them directly (we are not a middleman or an agency, and we don’t charge % markups).
Learn more about the benefits of letting Fractional Jobs help you hire fractional.
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Is fractional work done remotely or in-person?
Fractional work is most commonly done remotely. However, hybrid work and even on-site work can happen as well. It’s entirely up to both parties.
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Who Wrote This Guide?
I’ve helped 100+ companies hire fractional execs and other fractional talent. I also spent a year as a Fractional Head of Product.
I intimately understand how fractional work works from both sides of the table. And this guide is meant to help everyone get up to speed on the fractional world, quickly.
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