Hire a fractional CHRO — build the people engine, part-time
A fractional CHRO is a senior people executive who owns hiring, compensation, performance, and culture on a part-time basis.
- • Shortlist in 48 hours
- • No 25–30% placement fee
- • Vetted C-suite and VP operators
- • Fractional, interim, or advisory
When to hire a fractional CHRO
Most companies hire a fractional CHRO when the founder or existing team can no longer own the people function at executive depth. Common triggers:
- You are scaling from 20 to 100 people and it's getting messy
- Performance, comp, or leveling is inconsistent across teams
- You need to install a real hiring, review, or promo process
- A layoff, reorg, or M&A integration is coming
- The founder is drowning in HR issues
What a fractional CHRO owns
A fractional CHRO operates as your accountable Chief Human Resources Officer on a part-time basis. Typical scope:
- — Hiring plan, leveling framework, and comp bands
- — Performance management and promo process
- — Total rewards, equity refresh, and pay equity
- — Manager training and org design
- — Employee relations, compliance, and HRBP coverage
- — DEI, engagement, and culture programs
Engagement models
Fractional (ongoing)
1–3 days per week on a recurring basis. Best when you need executive judgment in the business every week, but not a full-time hire yet.
Interim (full-time, fixed term)
Full-time coverage for 3–9 months. Best for a vacancy, a fundraise, an M&A event, or a turnaround.
Project / advisory
Scoped engagement (10–40 hours) tied to a specific deliverable — a plan, a system, a hire, a diligence.
How much does a fractional CHRO cost?
Frequently asked questions
- What does a fractional CHRO do?
- A fractional CHRO owns people strategy on a part-time basis — hiring plan, comp, performance, org design, and manager development. They typically work 1–2 days per week.
- How much does a fractional CHRO cost?
- Fractional CHRO retainers typically run $7,000–$16,000 per month, or $200–$400 per hour, depending on company size and scope.
- When should we hire a fractional CHRO instead of a People Ops manager?
- A People Ops manager runs the day-to-day: benefits, onboarding, tools. A fractional CHRO sets strategy — comp bands, leveling, org design. Once you cross ~50 employees, you usually want both.
Ready to hire your CHRO?
Post your role or request a curated shortlist — most companies get one inside 48 hours.