Fractional CHRO Jobs UK
Part-time HR Leadership and Chief People Officer roles across the United Kingdom. Day rates £800-£1,300 (PE-backed to £1,400).
Fractional CHRO UK Market Statistics
Growth in fractional CHRO demand since 2020
Source: CIPD / LinkedIn Talent Solutions
Of UK scale-ups now using fractional people leadership
Source: CIPD People Profession Survey 2024
Typical savings vs full-time CHRO hire
Source: CIPD Reward Management Report
Of UK fractional CHRO roles offer hybrid working
Source: People Management Survey 2024
Fractional CHRO UK Fractional Rate Calculator
Calculate Your Potential Income
Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.
BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.
HR Leadership on Demand: The UK Market
As companies navigate hybrid work, talent retention, and culture building, experienced HR leadership has become critical. CIPD research shows that 55% of UK scale-ups now use some form of fractional people leadership - up from just 20% in 2019. This has led to a surge in fractional CHRO jobs across the country.
The fractional CHRO model delivers senior people strategy without full-time overhead. According to People Management, companies with fractional CHRO jobs report 35% better retention rates and 40% faster time-to-hire compared to those without senior HR leadership.
Whether you're a former CHRO seeking portfolio work, an HR Director ready for C-suite challenges, or a people leader looking to share expertise across multiple organisations, the UK market for fractional CHRO jobs offers growing opportunities across tech, professional services, and growing enterprises.
Market Leaders
London hosts headquarters for fintech leaders including Revolut, Monzo, and Starling - all active users of fractional talent.
Flexible Working
65% of London fractional roles offer hybrid arrangements, per CIPD research.
Day Rates by Sector
Typical daily rates for fractional executives. Hover over bars for details.
Key HR Sectors and Hubs
Tech & Scale-ups
High demand for CHROs experienced in rapid hiring, culture scaling, and equity compensation. Remote-first and hybrid work expertise highly valued. Strong in London, Manchester, and Bristol tech scenes.
PE-Backed Companies
People due diligence, leadership assessment, and post-acquisition integration. Executive compensation and retention strategy expertise required. Premium rates.
Professional Services
Partner-track development, retention strategies, and professional development programmes. Industry experience often essential. Strong demand from law, consulting, and accounting firms.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
NHS workforce planning, healthcare recruitment, and clinical governance. Growing demand for CHROs with healthcare sector experience and regulatory knowledge.
Specialist HR Leadership Roles
Culture & Transformation CHRO
£950-£1,300/daySpecialists in culture change, M&A integration, and organisational transformation. Project-based engagements with defined outcomes.
Talent Acquisition Lead
£850-£1,150/dayHiring strategy, employer branding, and recruitment process optimisation. Critical for high-growth companies scaling rapidly.
People Analytics Leader
£900-£1,200/dayHR data strategy, workforce planning, and people metrics. Growing demand as HR becomes more data-driven and strategic.
Employee Experience Director
£800-£1,100/dayEngagement, wellbeing, and hybrid work strategy. Post-pandemic priority for many organisations seeking to improve retention.
The Future of Fractional HR Leadership
CIPD forecasts continued strong demand for fractional CHRO leaders through 2028, driven by the ongoing complexity of people management, the importance of culture in hybrid environments, and the increasing acceptance of portfolio careers among senior HR professionals.
Key trends shaping the fractional CHRO market include: growing demand for CHROs with AI/HR tech implementation experience, increasing importance of DEI leadership, and the rise of employee experience as a strategic priority requiring senior attention.
Industry Resources & Professional Bodies
CIPD
Chartered HR professional body
www.cipd.org
SHRM
Global HR authority
www.shrm.org
Acas
Employment relations guidance
www.acas.org.uk
GOV.UK Employment
Employment law authority
www.gov.uk
People Management
HR industry insights
www.peoplemanagement.co.uk
HR Magazine
HR trends and salary data
www.hrmagazine.co.uk
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Research and insights
www.cipd.org
EHRC
Equality and diversity authority
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Fractional Jobs Fractional CHRO UK: FAQs
Common questions about fractional jobs Fractional CHRO UK
How much does a fractional CHRO cost in the UK?▼
A fractional CHRO or CPO in the UK typically costs £2,500-£8,500 per month or £800-£1,300 per day, depending on company size and complexity. According to sobo.ai and Pioneer HR (Jan 2026): SME/mid-market CHROs charge £800-£1,000/day, scale-up CHROs (100+ employees) charge £950-£1,200/day, and PE-backed/M&A specialists command £1,100-£1,400/day. Culture & Transformation specialists typically charge £900-£1,200/day. This represents 55-70% savings compared to a full-time CHRO hire (£120,000-£180,000 annually including benefits).
What qualifications do fractional CHROs need?▼
Most fractional CHRO roles require CIPD Level 7 (or MCIPD/FCIPD membership) plus 10-15+ years HR experience with prior CHRO, HRD, or CPO experience. Employment law knowledge, change management credentials, and sector-specific expertise add significant value. SHRM certification is also recognised.
How much do fractional CHROs earn in the UK?▼
UK fractional CHROs typically earn £650-£1,400 per day, with PE-backed and large scale-up roles at the premium end (£1,000-£1,400). Working 2-3 days per week across multiple clients, annual earnings of £130,000-£280,000 are achievable while offering portfolio variety.
What's the typical fractional CHRO engagement?▼
Initial engagements typically run 6-12 months with 2-3 days per week commitment. Transformation projects may need more intensive engagement. Many relationships evolve into ongoing advisory arrangements as companies value HR continuity and strategic guidance.
Do fractional CHROs work remotely?▼
About 70% of fractional CHRO roles offer hybrid arrangements. People leadership typically requires some on-site presence for team engagement, culture work, and sensitive conversations, though strategic work and policy development can often be done remotely.
What HR tech skills are most valuable?▼
The most valued HR tech skills include: HRIS implementation (Workday, BambooHR, Personio), people analytics platforms, ATS optimisation (Greenhouse, Lever), and performance management systems. Experience with AI-powered HR tools is increasingly sought after.
How do I find fractional CHRO roles?▼
The most effective approaches are: registering with specialist platforms like Fractional Quest, networking through CIPD events and HR Directors' forums, building relationships with PE firms who frequently place CHROs in portfolio companies, and developing a LinkedIn presence showcasing people leadership expertise.
Explore More CHRO Resources
Discover related guides, job boards, and resources
Case Study
OneUp Productions
Gaming & Esports Production
Fractional GTM LeadThe Challenge
OneUp Productions needed to expand into new international markets but lacked the in-house expertise for go-to-market strategy. They needed senior GTM leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Our Approach
Engaged as Fractional GTM Lead to develop and execute market expansion strategy, working 2-3 days per week alongside the existing leadership team.
Cost Effective
Senior GTM expertise at a fraction of full-time hire cost
Immediate Impact
Hit the ground running with proven playbooks
Flexible Scale
Adjusted involvement as needs evolved
Client Feedback
"As a growing gaming company, we needed GTM expertise but couldn't justify a full-time hire. The fractional model gave us exactly what we needed - senior leadership at a pace and budget that worked for us."
Fractional Executive Insights
Market Overview for Fractional Executives
Building a Portfolio Career in Fractional CHRO UK
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Written by a Practicing Fractional Executive
Dan Keegan
Founder & Fractional GTM Expert
With over 15 years of experience in executive leadership, go-to-market strategy, and business development, Dan brings real-world fractional expertise to help professionals navigate the executive job market.
Dan founded Fractional Quest after working as a fractional executive himself, understanding firsthand the challenges of finding quality opportunities and the value fractional leaders bring to growing businesses.
Prior executive experience includes
Current fractional client