Fractional, full-time, or consultant. Here's how to decide.
There's no single right answer. The best choice depends on your stage, your budget, and the kind of leadership you need right now. This page breaks it down honestly.
Take the QuizSide-by-side comparison
| Fractional Executive | Full-Time Hire | Consultant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | 1 to 3 weeks | 3 to 6 months | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Cost | Part-time rate plus placement fee | $250K to $400K+ salary plus benefits | Project-based or hourly |
| Commitment | Flexible, typically 3 to 12 months | Indefinite | Project-scoped |
| Ownership and accountability | |||
| Sits in leadership meetings | |||
| Manages teams directly | |||
| Industry-specific experience | Varies | ||
| Scales with your needs | Varies | ||
| Builds internal systems | |||
| Transfers knowledge to your team | Varies |
Time to start
Fractional1 to 3 weeks
Full-Time3 to 6 months
Consultant2 to 4 weeks
Cost
FractionalPart-time rate plus placement fee
Full-Time$250K to $400K+ salary plus benefits
ConsultantProject-based or hourly
Commitment
FractionalFlexible, typically 3 to 12 months
Full-TimeIndefinite
ConsultantProject-scoped
Ownership and accountability
Fractional
Full-Time
Consultant
Sits in leadership meetings
Fractional
Full-Time
Consultant
Manages teams directly
Fractional
Full-Time
Consultant
Industry-specific experience
Fractional
Full-TimeVaries
Consultant
Scales with your needs
Fractional
Full-Time
ConsultantVaries
Builds internal systems
Fractional
Full-Time
Consultant
Transfers knowledge to your team
Fractional
Full-Time
ConsultantVaries
When each option makes sense
Choose fractional when...
- You need senior leadership but can't justify a full-time salary
- The role needs someone who takes ownership, not just advice
- You want to test the role before committing to a full-time hire
- You need someone to start within weeks, not months
Choose full-time when...
- The role requires 40+ hours per week of sustained attention
- You have the budget for a $250K to $400K+ compensation package
- You're confident about the role scope and long-term need
- You can wait 3 to 6 months for the right person to start
Choose a consultant when...
- You need expertise for a specific, time-bound project
- The deliverable is a report, model, or audit, not ongoing leadership
- You don't need someone managing your team or sitting in leadership meetings
- The scope is clear and the end date is defined
Common questions
Still not sure? Let's figure it out together.
Book a free discovery call. We'll ask about your situation and give you an honest recommendation, even if fractional isn't the right answer.
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