What is a Part-Time CHRO?
A part-time CHRO (also called a fractional CHRO or fractional Chief People Officer) is a senior HR executive who works with your business on a flexible basis—typically 1-3 days per week. They bring strategic people leadership and organizational expertise at a fraction of full-time cost.
According to the CIPD, the demand for senior HR expertise continues to grow as organizations recognize that people strategy directly impacts business performance. Part-time CHRO arrangements make this expertise accessible to growing businesses.
The CHRO Role Explained
What Does a CHRO Do?
The Chief Human Resources Officer (or Chief People Officer) is responsible for all aspects of people strategy and employee experience. They ensure the organization has the talent, culture, and structure to achieve its goals.
- Strategy: Align people strategy with business objectives
- Organization: Design structure and roles for effectiveness
- Talent: Develop hiring, retention, and succession strategies
- Culture: Build and maintain organizational culture
- Compliance: Ensure employment law and regulatory compliance
Part-Time CHRO Responsibilities
People Strategy
- Workforce planning and modeling
- Talent acquisition strategy
- Retention and engagement programs
- Succession planning
- Employer brand development
Organization Design
- Organizational structure
- Role design and job architecture
- Reporting relationships
- Team effectiveness
- Change management
Leadership Development
- Executive team development
- Management training programs
- Performance management systems
- Career development frameworks
- Coaching and mentoring
HR Operations
- Compensation and benefits strategy
- HR technology and systems
- Employment law compliance
- Employee relations
- HR team development
When Do You Need a Part-Time CHRO?
Scaling Beyond HR Manager
You've outgrown HR administration and need strategic people leadership, but can't justify a £150,000+ full-time CHRO salary.
People Problems Limiting Growth
High turnover, difficulty hiring, culture issues, or engagement problems are holding back your business. You need senior expertise to fix the root causes.
Investment or Exit Preparation
Investors and acquirers scrutinize people practices. A CHRO can professionalize HR, document policies, and demonstrate organizational maturity.
Complex Employment Situations
Restructuring, redundancies, TUPE transfers, international expansion—situations where employment law expertise is essential.
Part-Time CHRO Costs
| Engagement Level | Time | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Touch | 1 day/week | £3,000-£4,500 | Strategy and oversight |
| Standard | 2 days/week | £5,000-£7,000 | Most scaling companies |
| Intensive | 3 days/week | £7,500-£10,000 | Major transformation |
| Full-Time Comparison | 5 days/week | £12,000-£20,000 | Large organizations |
Part-Time CHRO vs Other Options
Part-Time CHRO
- Strategic people leadership
- Part of executive team
- Builds organizational capability
- Develops HR team
- Accountable for people outcomes
HR Consultant
- Project-based engagement
- External advisor
- Delivers specific outcomes
- No ongoing accountability
- Policy/process focus
HR Manager
- Full-time employee
- Operational HR focus
- Less strategic scope
- Lower seniority/cost
- Reports to CEO/CHRO
HR Outsourcing
- Administrative focus
- Payroll, compliance, basics
- No strategic input
- Transactional relationship
- Cost-focused model
What to Look For in a Part-Time CHRO
- Strategic experience: Track record of developing and executing people strategies
- Scaling expertise: Experience growing organizations from current size to target size
- Commercial mindset: Understands business, not just HR
- Employment law knowledge: UK employment law expertise for compliance
- Coaching ability: Can develop leadership team and HR staff
- Cultural fit: Values and style align with your organization
Summary: A part-time CHRO provides strategic people leadership for 1-3 days per week at £3,000-£10,000/month. Ideal for scaling businesses that need to professionalize HR without full-time executive costs.