Welcome to the Fractional Academy
Table of Contents
What Is a Fractional Leader?
A Fractional Executive is a seasoned leader like a CMO, CFO, or COO, who works with companies on a part-time or project basis. They bring strategic expertise and hands-on leadership without the cost or long-term commitment of a full-time hire.
This model is especially useful for startups, small businesses, and growing teams who need senior-level guidance to make key decisions, accelerate growth, or lead through change without overhiring too soon.
Is Fractional Leadership Right for Your Business?
You might benefit from bringing in a Fractional Executive if:
- You’re growing fast or looking for growth, but don’t have the resources for a full-time hire
- You’re facing a challenge that requires outside expertise
- You’re between hires and need senior leadership to maintain momentum
- You want mentorship for internal teams as you scale
- You need someone who can get results without a long onboarding ramp
Choosing a Fractional Executive
If you’re trying to grow, pivot, or solve complex challenges, but hiring a full-time executive feels premature or out of reach, a Fractional Executive can fill that gap.
Here’s why companies turn to Fractionals:
- Cost-Effective Leadership – Get executive-level impact without the overhead of salary, benefits, or equity.
- Fast, Strategic Support – Experienced leaders who can step in quickly and start making progress from day one.
- Flexible Engagements – Whether you need help for a few months, a specific project, or an interim period—engagements are tailored to fit.
- Proven Frameworks – They don’t just give advice. They bring structure, systems, and real-world experience that drives results.
- Low-Risk, High Impact – A practical way to bring in senior talent without making a long-term hire before you’re ready.
When is the Right Time to Hire a Fractional?
It might be time to hire a Fractional Executive if:
- Your company is growing quickly and needs experienced leadership to scale effectively.
- You don’t have the budget or the need for a full-time executive.
- You’re facing complex strategic challenges your current team isn’t equipped to handle.
- You’re between senior hires and need interim support or a trial run before hiring full-time.
- You need specialized expertise or industry insight to move a critical initiative forward.
- You want to mentor and uplevel your internal team with experienced guidance.
Fractional vs. Full-Time vs. Consultant
Here’s how Fractional Executives compare to full-time hires and consultants.
|
Factor
|
Fractional
|
Full-Time Executive
|
Consultant
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cost |
Moderate |
High |
Variable |
|
Commitment |
Flexible |
Long-term |
Short-term |
|
Execution Capability |
Yes |
Yes |
Limited |
|
Strategic Advisory |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Speed to Impact |
Rapid |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Risk of Hiring Mistakes |
Low |
High |
Moderate |
|
Integration with Team |
Moderate to High |
High |
Low to Moderate |
The Smart Hire: A Guide to Hiring a Fractional Executive
Curious if hiring a Fractional Executive is the right move for your business or need help explaining the value of a Fractional role to a potential client?
This free guide breaks down how the model works, who it’s best for, and how to make it a win-win for both sides. Whether you’re a founder making your first strategic hire or a Fractional professional looking to close more deals, this resource is built to support smarter decisions.
- A clear explanation of the Fractional Executive model
- Specific examples of Fractional roles and responsibilities
- Tips for onboarding and integrating a Fractional Executive into your team
- Common myths and realities around hiring Fractionals
- Strategic questions to assess if your business (or client) is ready
- ROI comparison between Fractional hires vs. full-time executive hires
Download the free guide and learn how to hire, or become, the smart hire.
Fractional Success
Common Fractional Roles Explained
Hover or tap each card to learn more about what these leaders do.
Fractionals
Fractional CFO
Fractional COO
Fractional CTO
Fractional CHRO
Fractional CPO
Want a quick download to share with business owners or your team? Grab our free visual guide for a clear breakdown of what each Fractional role focuses on and how they drive business results.
Fractional Executive Readiness Quiz
1. What does a Fractional Executive offer to businesses?
2. Which of the following is a benefit of hiring a Fractional Executive?
3. A Fractional CFO typically helps with:
4. Which scenario best suits a Fractional hire?
5. How fast can a Fractional Executive typically deliver impact?
Fractional Calculator for Comparison
How to Use the Fractional Calculator
- Set Duration
Enter the number of months for the fractional engagement (usually 6–12 months). - Adjust Salary & Overhead
Use the default values or update the full-time salary and benefits percentage. - Enter the Fractional Retainer
Add the monthly retainer (e.g., $8,000–$15,000). - Compare Costs Automatically
Everything calculates instantly—no button needed.
Fractional Executive Cost Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
See how much you could save in taxes by electing S-Corp status for your LLC.
- Enter Your Net Income
Add your estimated annual business net income before taxes. - Set Your Salary
Enter the salary you plan to pay yourself under an S-Corp election. - View Automatic Results
The calculator instantly compares your estimated taxes as an LLC versus an S-Corp. - Analyze the Savings
See your potential annual tax savings based on S-Corp treatment. - Interpret the Chart
A simple bar chart visualizes your total tax obligations side by side for easy comparison.
Disclaimer: This tool provides a simple estimate for comparison purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Always consult a tax professional when making decisions about your business structure.
Ready to Connect or Explore Further?
Find a Fractional Leader
Let Hey CMO help you find the right Fractional executive to help you scale and grow your business.
Make the Smart Hire
Download your free guide to hire and integrate the right Fractional leader into your business.
“In just 90 days, our Fractional CFO cleaned up our financials, helped us forecast, and got us investor-ready.”
Richard Moross Founder & CEO