If you're running a growing business, chances are you've come across terms like HR consultant or outsourced HR. But now there’s another one popping up: Fractional People & Strategy Director.
What does that even mean?
Don’t worry, it’s not as fancy or confusing as it sounds.
In this blog, we’ll break it down in simple terms, explain how it’s different from other types of HR support and help you decide if it’s something your business needs.
So, What Is a Fractional People & Strategy Director?
A Fractional People & Strategy Director is a senior HR leader who works with your business on a part-time basis. They’re not full-time, but they’re also far more than someone you call in for a quick policy, contract or compliance fix.
Instead, they partner with you on the big-picture priorities, planning how your team should grow, shaping your workplace culture, supporting your managers, creating a people strategy that aligns with your business goals and guiding you through change. The most effective Fractional People & Strategy Directors bring not only deep HR expertise but also broad, hands-on business experience, meaning they can contribute strategically across all areas of your business, not just “the people stuff.”
In short, they help you build a business that people actively want to be part of and ensure your team is set up to succeed. Think of it as having a part-time HR Director who’s also a seasoned business strategist on your senior leadership team.
How’s That Different from an HR Consultant or Interim HR?
Great question! Here’s a quick comparison:
|
Role |
What They Do |
How They Work |
|
HR Consultant |
Focuses on specific HR tasks like policies, contracts or grievances |
Usually short-term or project-based |
|
Interim HR |
Steps in to cover a gap in your team, like maternity leave |
Works full-time for a set period |
|
Fractional People & Strategy Director |
Partners with you to design and lead your people strategy while also bringing wider business insight to help drive overall company performance |
Works with you regularly, but part-time (e.g. 1 day a week or month) |
So while HR consultants fix immediate problems and interim HR fills temporary gaps, a Fractional People & Strategy Director helps you plan ahead, align your people strategy with your business goals, and adds senior-level business thinking that benefits the whole organisation, not just your HR function.
Why Would a Small Business Need One?
As your business grows, people challenges start to show up and they often affect your whole business not just HR. Things like hiring more staff but not sure how to manage them effectively, your team culture feels a bit messy or unclear, you’re spending more time dealing with people issues, managers need help stepping up and you want to keep your best people but aren’t sure how.
This is when it really helps to have someone on board who understands both people and the commercial realities of running a business but without needing to hire a full-time HR Director.
What Are the Benefits?
Bringing in a Fractional People & Strategy Director gives you:
- Regular access to senior HR and business advice
- Strategic support without the cost of a full-time hire
- Help with planning, culture, leadership, and growth
- Someone who’s in your corner but only when you need them
- A trusted sounding board for your ideas
- The depth of experience of a senior HR leader who also understands how to drive business performance
- You get the experience and commercial insight of a senior leader, but on your terms.
How Dakota Blue Consulting Can Help
At Dakota Blue Consulting, we work with small and growing businesses just like yours. Our Fractional People & Strategy Director service gives you hands-on support, tailored to your business whether you need us one day a week or just a few hours a month.
We’ll help you build a stronger team, avoid people problems, boost overall business performance and put the right structure in place for long-term success.
Sound like something your business could use?
Let’s have a quick chat to see if it’s the right fit.