What a fractional CHRO owns
- People strategy and workforce plan tied to the operating plan and the next raise
- Compensation philosophy, salary bands, equity guidelines and leveling
- Performance and promotion cycles that are calibrated across teams
- Org design, manager spans and the leadership bench (succession planning)
- Executive and senior hiring, including searches run with the Board
- Board and investor people reporting: headcount, attrition, hiring velocity, eNPS
- Policy and risk: handbook, multi-state compliance, employee relations with your counsel
When a fractional CHRO is the right call
Most companies hit the need somewhere between 30 and 150 employees: the first comp review is coming, managers were promoted for being great individual contributors, hiring is spread across several states or countries, and investors are asking for people metrics. A full-time CHRO is usually premature at that size; a generalist HR coordinator is not senior enough to set the system up.
It also fits when you are between People leaders, preparing for diligence, or going through a restructure and need experienced judgment immediately.
How an engagement runs
- Weeks 1–2: HR audit and Manager Operating System Diagnostic with the leadership team; prioritized 90-day plan
- Weeks 3–12: ship the one or two highest-leverage outcomes (often comp bands plus a performance cycle)
- Ongoing: weekly exec working session, bi-weekly CEO 1:1, monthly metrics, quarterly board-ready review
- Month-to-month after the first quarter with 30 days' notice either way. No 12-month lockups.
Pricing
Fractional CHRO retainers start at $8,000 per month for about two days a week. A lighter Fractional Head of People retainer starts at $4,000 per month for about one day a week. Most engagements begin with a fixed-price, two-week HR Foundations Sprint at $4,500. Full details are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fractional CHRO?
A fractional CHRO is a senior HR executive who works part-time for your company, typically one to three days a week on a monthly retainer, and owns people strategy, compensation, performance, org design and HR risk the way a full-time CHRO would.
How much does a fractional CHRO cost?
Startup retainers in 2026 are commonly quoted between $5,000 and $15,000 per month depending on stage and days per week. FlexHR's fractional CHRO retainer starts at $8,000 per month, and the lighter Fractional Head of People retainer starts at $4,000 per month.
What is the difference between a fractional CHRO and a fractional Head of People?
Scope and seniority of the seat. A fractional CHRO sits with the exec team and Board and owns strategy, comp architecture and org design. A fractional Head of People runs day-to-day people operations, hiring process and policy for a smaller team.
Do you work only with fintech and AI companies?
Fintech and AI-native companies are the focus because that is where the principal's operating experience is, but the HR foundations work applies to most venture-backed tech companies from 15 to 400 employees.
Is the work remote?
Yes. Engagements are run remotely for U.S.-based companies, including teams spread across multiple states, with on-site time arranged when it matters.