Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about fractional leadership, our services, or how Fractional First works? Our comprehensive FAQ section provides clear, concise answers to the most common inquiries from both organizations and leaders.
A fractional leader is an experienced executive who offers part-time, flexible leadership. This allows organizations to leverage their expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire. Typically, they spearhead strategic initiatives and oversee operational teams.
We meticulously curate our shortlist of leaders for client opportunities based on the intersection of each organization's unique culture and needs, with each leader's strengths, preferences, and expertise (functional, industry, geography). We prioritize individuals who excel as player-coaches, capable of both leading and executing effectively. Additionally, we assess their softer skills such as awareness, desire to serve, personality, and passion. Each leader undergoes vetting to ensure alignment with our mission and values.
We are industry agnostic. Our fractional leaders come from diverse backgrounds with cross-industry experience spanning tech, finance, healthcare, and more. Contact us to discover the ideal leader for your specific needs.
At Fractional First, we do not operate like a traditional job board. We start by understanding you, your strengths, working style, and aspirations, before presenting any opportunities. Once your profile is complete, we use a reverse matching approach to identify roles that align with who you are as a leader.
Think of us less like a job board and more like a Talent Agent. We match the role to you, rather than fitting you into a role. Instead of sifting through generic listings, our team curates matches privately, reaching out directly when a client’s needs align with your signature strengths. Every connection is intentional, purpose-driven, and grounded in long-term success for you and the organizations you impact.
Our fee structure is a core part of our mission to lead a movement towards smarter, more dynamic leadership.
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For fractional and interim engagements, there is typically no placement fee or markup fees for clients. Our revenue is generated via a shared-fee model with the leader, aligning our success with the value they provide. Like a great talent agent, we share in the revenues our leaders generate.
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For full-time executive placements, we apply a standard fee. However, our approach is distinct; we focus on the crucial chemistry, timing, and fit, delivering a leader who will drive enduring success and elevate your organization's capabilities.
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At Fractional First, we stand apart from traditional Executive Search firms in several key ways:
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Operational Experience: We don’t come from Executive Search roots. We are ex-operators, CEOs, and board directors who have successfully led and scaled entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial ventures.
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Pre-Qualified Talent Pool: We meticulously curate our talent pool based on hard skills, soft skills, and mindset, ensuring they are ready to deliver immediate value.
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Community and Learning: We foster communities of high-performance leaders where knowledge-sharing and mutual learning thrive, enriching both our talent pool and client organizations.
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Long-Term Relationships: We prioritize building enduring relationships with our talent and client organizations, focusing on sustained mutual growth and success.
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Supportive Journey: We support our fractional talent throughout their journey, providing ongoing guidance and resources to maximize their impact. We tend to shy away from transactional situationships.
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Strategic Partnership: We develop close relationships with our clients, offering insights into leadership team dynamics, strengths, and blind spots. This analysis helps enhance overall team performance and address specific gaps proactively beyond immediate hiring needs.
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Player-Coach
Strengthen internal talent while executing critical initiatives. Our leaders play a dual role of coach and operator, ensuring execution of industry best practices while creating conditions for the development of high-performance teams. For leaders, this offers hands-on contribution and a powerful mentoring role.
Venture Growth
Drive immediate direction and momentum for new initiatives. Our leaders minimize risk and accelerate growth. For leaders, this means shaping nascent ventures with significant influence.
Interim Leadership
Ensure continuity during pivotal transitions or urgent needs with leaders who stabilize teams through dedicated support. For leaders, it's high-value problem-solving in critical moments.
Leadership Planning & SearchDefine leadership needs and strategically approach full-time hires. We increase candidate fit and reduce hiring risk. For leaders, it's an opportunity to shape an organization's future leadership landscape.
Try Before You Commit
Mitigate hiring risks by proving fit before a full-time commitment. This ensures cultural alignment and validates skills. For leaders, it's a pathway to potential long-term roles by demonstrating immediate, tangible value.
We created TIP to recognize and reward you for introducing Fractional First to companies who might benefit from our incredible leadership network.
At a glance:
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Conversion Window: 6 months from introduction
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Reward: USD $1,000 for every USD $25,000 in paid services
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Reward Cap: USD $5,000 or 12 months, whichever comes first
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Payouts: Processed quarterly
Please check the TIP details here. Program terms and conditions apply.
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