Types of Fractional Business Partners
HR Business Partner
- Focus: People matters for specific teams
- Activities: Hiring, performance, development
- Partners with: Department heads
- Reports to: HR Director/CHRO
Finance Business Partner
- Focus: Commercial support for business units
- Activities: Budgeting, analysis, decisions
- Partners with: Business unit leaders
- Reports to: FD/CFO
IT Business Partner
- Focus: Technology for business functions
- Activities: Requirements, solutions, adoption
- Partners with: Function leaders
- Reports to: CTO/CIO
Commercial Partner
- Focus: Revenue and market opportunities
- Activities: Pricing, deals, market analysis
- Partners with: Sales/product teams
- Reports to: CRO/Commercial Director
Business Partner vs Executive
| Aspect | Business Partner | Functional Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Specific department/unit | Entire function |
| Position | Embedded in business | Leads central function |
| Reports to | Functional head | CEO |
| Team | Usually individual | Leads team |
| Seniority | Senior manager/director | C-suite |
What Fractional Business Partners Do
Strategic Support
Translate functional expertise into practical support for business teams. Bridge between central function and operational reality.
Problem Solving
Help department leaders solve functional challenges. For HRBP: hiring, retention, performance. For FBP: budgets, analysis, decisions.
Relationship Building
Become trusted partner to department leaders. Understand their challenges deeply. Advocate for their needs within the function.
Change Implementation
Help implement functional initiatives (new systems, policies, processes) within the business area they support.
When Fractional Makes Sense
- Growing teams: Department needs support but not full-time business partner
- Specific projects: Major hiring push, system implementation, restructure
- Expertise gap: Need seniority beyond what generalist can provide
- Cost constraint: Can't justify dedicated business partner
- Trial: Test business partner model before full-time commitment
Costs
1-2 days/week engagement
Salary + benefits
Summary: Fractional business partners provide embedded strategic support to specific departments on a part-time basis. Common roles include HR Business Partner and Finance Business Partner. Ideal when departments need expertise but not full-time capacity.