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Executive Engagement Model Comparison

Comprehensive analysis of executive engagement models to help you choose the right leadership structure for your business stage and requirements.

Executive Engagement Comparison Matrix

Criteria
Full-time Executive
Fractional Executive
Interim Executive
Executive Consultant
Time Commitment
5 days/week
2-3 days/week
5 days/week
Project-based
Annual Cost (CFO)
£120k-£280k+
£80k-£150k
£150k-£200k
£40k-£80k
Commitment Length
Permanent
6-24 months
3-18 months
2-12 months
Strategic Ownership
Full ownership
Strategic oversight
Full ownership
Advisory only
Team Management
Direct reports
Team guidance
Direct reports
Limited involvement
Best For
Scale-ups to enterprise
Growth-stage companies
Crisis/transformation
Specific projects

Full-time Executives

When to Use: Established companies with consistent executive workload, complex organizational structures, and long-term strategic initiatives.
Advantages: Full commitment, deep integration, comprehensive ownership, team building capability.
Considerations: Higher cost, permanent commitment, may be underutilized in smaller organizations.

Fractional Executives

When to Use: Growth-stage companies needing senior expertise without full-time commitment, testing executive fit, or specific skill gaps.
Advantages: Cost-effective, flexible commitment, immediate impact, trial period for permanent hire.
Considerations: Limited availability, potential divided attention, relationship building time.

Interim Executives

When to Use: Crisis situations, transformation projects, executive departure coverage, or bridge roles during permanent search.
Advantages: Immediate availability, crisis experience, transformation expertise, defined timeline.
Considerations: Temporary solution, higher day rates, may require cultural adaptation time.

Executive Consultants

When to Use: Specific projects, strategic planning, due diligence, process improvement, or specialized expertise needs.
Advantages: Specialized expertise, project-focused, lower cost, external perspective.
Considerations: Limited implementation capability, advisory role only, may lack industry context.

Choose the Right Executive Engagement Model

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