Trusted Sources on the Rise of Fractional Leadership

As someone who has operated as a fractional leader since 1999, I’ve seen how the model fills a gap most companies don’t quite acknowledge: you need senior leadership, but not a full-time hire. The world of marketing leadership is shifting. The traditional “hire a CMO, invest big, hope it sticks” model no longer fits many companies, especially in B2B like packaging, energy, and industrial markets. I want to walk through what other experts are saying about the model, why it’s gaining traction, and what that means for you.

A piece in Harvard Business Review titled “How Part-Time Senior Leaders Can Help Your Business” explains how companies use part-time or fractional senior leadership to gain strategic muscle without hiring a full-time executive. In my work, this is exactly the play: you get the strategy-setting, cadence, and KPIs a CMO brings, but with flexibility built in.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), fractional executives are on the rise. Their article “Gig Work in the C-Suite? Fractional Execs Are on the Rise” points out that more boards and CEOs are treating senior leadership as a portfolio engagement rather than just full-time roles. What that means in practice: if your company is between hiring phases, entering a new market, or scaling rapidly, a fractional model offers immediate leadership without the baggage.

There’s real data behind this shift. According to definitions in the “The Rise of Fractional Leadership” series, companies choose fractional leadership during transitions such as entering new growth stages, expanding into new geographies, or when an internal hire lacks leverage. If you’re preparing for a U.S. launch, a product extension, or a rebrand, this model brings leadership when you need it most.

Many Are in Favor of the Fractional Leadership Model

FAST COMPANY "What is fractional leadership and why is it becoming more popular?"

INC. AND FAST COMPANY "What Is Fractional Leadership, and Why Is It Booming Now?"

REWORKED "More Companies Are Hiring Fractional Executives. Here's Why."

REF GLOBAL "Fractional Leadership: The Executive Model That Could Reshape the C-Suite"
Global executive platform citing 2024 Toptal survey showing 46 percent year-over-year growth in fractional executive demand. Includes case studies from Figma and Latin American fintechs.

JAKE JORGOVAN "The Rise of Fractional Executives"
Comprehensive history of the trend from a consulting industry expert. Covers pandemic impact, tech industry adoption, and future outlook.

COLUMNCONTENT "The Rise of Fractional Leadership: Everything You Need to Know"
Business content platform with strong data on costs showing full-time CMO or CFO runs between $200K and $500K per year compared to fractional alternatives. Covers flexibility, speed to onboarding, and Deloitte study on executive burnout.

TGG ACCOUNTING "The Rise of Fractional C-Suite Leadership"
Financial services perspective offering a good overview of cost savings, specialized skills, and quick decision making benefits.

MONDO "The Rise of Fractional Executives: Part-Time C-Suite Leadership"
Staffing and recruiting platform covering cost efficiency, expertise on demand, remote work integration, and specific industry applications.

XNORTH GROUP "The Rise of Fractional Management"
Management consulting group with good insights on the Great Resignation impact, family business applications, and long-term strategic integration.