Fractional vs Consultant: Key Differences
| Aspect | Fractional Executive | Consultant |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | Owns function and outcomes | Advises, not accountable |
| Team Management | Manages people directly | No direct reports |
| Leadership Role | Part of leadership team | External advisor |
| Duration | Ongoing (6+ months) | Project-based |
| Deliverables | Business results | Recommendations/reports |
| Decision Making | Makes decisions | Informs decisions |
When to Hire a Fractional Executive
Choose Fractional When:
- →You need someone to own and run a function (finance, marketing, tech)
- →You have a team that needs management and leadership
- →You want ongoing, embedded support (6+ months)
- →You need someone accountable for results, not just advice
- →You want them to participate in leadership meetings and strategy
When to Hire a Consultant
Choose Consultant When:
- →You need expert analysis or recommendations
- →The engagement is project-based with clear scope
- →You have internal people to execute on recommendations
- →You want external perspective without changing org structure
- →The need is temporary (weeks to months)
Example Scenarios
"We need to build a marketing function"
You don't have marketing leadership, need to hire a team, set strategy, and be accountable for growth.
"We need a marketing strategy review"
You have a marketing team but want expert analysis and recommendations.
"Our CFO left and we need someone to run finance"
You have a finance team that needs leadership, reporting, and accountability.
"We need a financial model for fundraising"
You need specific deliverables—a model and projections.
Hybrid Approaches
Many engagements start as one model and evolve. Common patterns include:
Consulting → Fractional
Start with assessment/strategy consulting, then transition to ongoing fractional leadership.
Fractional → Full-Time
Fractional executive helps define the role and hire their full-time replacement.
Blended Model
Fractional executive leading function, plus consulting projects on specific initiatives.
Cost Comparison
Ongoing engagement, 1-3 days/week, monthly retainer common
Project-based, often shorter engagements, deliverable-focused
Summary: Fractional executives own functions and manage teams. Consultants advise and deliver recommendations. Choose fractional when you need ongoing leadership; choose consulting for project-based expertise.