How Do You Hire the Right Fractional CHRO for Your Company?
FRACTIONAL CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER (CHRO) STAFFING
What Is a Fractional CHRO and How Does Frontline Place One?
A fractional CHRO is an experienced chief human resources officer who leads your people strategy part-time, usually 20 to 60 hours a month. Frontline Source Group recruits, vets, and places fractional, interim, and project CHROs nationwide, and when you hire your CHRO full-time, the placement is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times the 90-day industry standard.
Frontline sources fractional CHROs from a nationwide network built over 22 years and 5,619 completed placements. You meet a short slate of screened HR leaders, choose the one who fits, and Frontline manages the engagement agreement, billing, and monthly check-ins. When you are ready for a full-time CHRO, you can hire the same person, backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty. For permanent HR leadership searches, see our HR executive search practice. For other seats, see fractional CFO services, fractional Controller services, and fractional COO services, or compare every role on the fractional executive staffing page.
Frontline has been named one of the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026) and ranked #148 on the 2026 Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms list. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, and a member of the American Staffing Association. Clients rate Frontline 5.0 stars across 682 verified Trustpilot reviews and 5.0 on G2 from validated reviewers. See the full list on our awards page.
FRACTIONAL CHRO PLACEMENT SPECIALISTS
Who Will Match You With Your Fractional CHRO?
Fractional CHRO placements at Frontline are led by Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Bill Kasko, Founder, President, and CEO, the same executive search leadership that places HR and C-suite executives nationwide, not a generalist sales team. They work alongside Frontline's HR recruiting desk, including Lindsey Davidson, CDR, and Cassidy Jacobs, whose long-standing involvement with DallasHR keeps the team close to the HR leaders it places.
year warranty
Successful Placements and Counting
Executive Placement Retention: In Role or Promoted at One Year
Placement totals and the executive placement retention rate are based on internal placement tracking by Frontline Source Group. The retention rate counts placed executives who are still in the role, or have been promoted, at the end of their first year. Public review ratings are sourced from independent third-party review platforms.
5 Year Placement Warranty InfoUpdated on 10/01/26
SIGNS YOU NEED A FRACTIONAL CHRO
When Should a Company Hire a Fractional CHRO?
Most companies bring in a fractional CHRO when people issues start affecting growth but the business has outgrown a generalist HR function, and a full-time CHRO salary is not yet justified. Common triggers include:
- Headcount is growing fast and hiring, onboarding, and policies cannot keep up
- Turnover is rising and leadership does not know why
- Compensation and titles are inconsistent across the company
- Employee relations issues or compliance risks are landing on the CEO's desk
- You are expanding into new states, merging teams, or restructuring
- Your HR leader left and you need senior people leadership while you search
Choose From a Vetted Slate
Meet two to three screened fractional CHROs and pick the one who fits your culture, goals, and leadership team.
5-Year Warranty on Conversion
Hire your fractional CHRO full-time and the placement is covered for five years, 20 times the 90-day standard.
HR Leadership Vetting
Every CHRO screened on employment compliance, compensation design, employee relations, and people strategy before you meet them.
32+ Offices Nationwide
Local HR recruiters in major metros, with remote and on-site CHROs nationwide.
ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS
Which Fractional CHRO Engagement Fits Your Company?
Fractional CHRO
A dedicated part-time CHRO for ongoing people leadership on flexible monthly terms. Best for growing companies that need senior HR judgment every month, not every day.
Interim CHRO
A full-time CHRO for 3 to 9 months to cover a vacancy, leave, reorganization, or merger while you search for a permanent leader.
Project CHRO
A CHRO for a defined scope: an HR compliance audit, a compensation and title framework, a handbook and policy rebuild, an HRIS selection, or a merger integration. Scoped and priced up front.
Fractional to Full-Time
Hire your fractional CHRO permanently at any point. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
WHAT A FRACTIONAL CHRO DOES
What Does a Fractional CHRO Do for Your Business?
A Frontline fractional CHRO takes ownership of the people side of the business, so leaders can hire, keep, and develop the team the company needs to grow.
People Strategy
- Workforce planning tied to business goals
- Organizational design and reporting lines
- Talent acquisition strategy
- Succession planning
- Culture and engagement programs
- Board and leadership people reporting
Compliance and Policy
- HR compliance audits
- Employee handbook and policy updates
- Multi-state employment compliance
- Employee relations and investigations
- Benefits strategy and broker oversight
- HR risk reduction
Performance and Growth
- Compensation and title frameworks
- Performance management systems
- Leadership and manager development
- Retention and turnover reduction
- HRIS and HR technology selection
- Merger, acquisition, and restructuring integration
FRACTIONAL CHRO PRICING
How Much Does a Fractional CHRO Cost?
Fractional CHRO engagements typically cost $4,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on hours, headcount, and complexity. Experienced fractional CHROs usually bill $150 to $300 per hour. Frontline quotes each engagement after a scoping call, with no hidden fees.
| Engagement level | Hours per month | Typical monthly range | Common scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Hours per month20 to 30 | Typical monthly range$4,000 to $6,500 | Common scopeCompliance review, policies, employee relations guidance |
| Growth | Hours per month40 to 50 | Typical monthly range$7,000 to $11,000 | Common scopeCompensation framework, performance management, hiring plans |
| Strategic | Hours per month60 or more | Typical monthly range$12,000 to $15,000 | Common scopeReorganization, merger integration, leadership development |
| Interim (full-time) | Hours per monthAbout 160 | Typical monthly rangeQuoted weekly | Common scopeVacancy, leave, or restructuring coverage |
Compared with a full-time CHRO, a fractional engagement avoids the full salary, bonus, benefits, and search cost while still giving you executive-level people leadership. For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median pay for human resources managers, the closest occupation it tracks to the CHRO seat, at $149,280 a year in May 2025, and top HR executives typically earn more. A Growth-level fractional CHRO at $7,000 to $11,000 a month brings executive-level people leadership into that budget without the bonus, benefits, or search fee. Frontline publishes its placement fees on the pricing page, which is still rare in staffing, or you can request a quote scoped to your company.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Fractional CHRO vs PEO vs Full-Time CHRO: Which Do You Need?
The right model depends on whether you need HR administration, HR leadership, or both. Many Frontline clients keep their payroll or PEO provider and add a fractional CHRO to lead strategy, then convert to full-time as headcount grows.
| Model | Fractional CHRO | PEO or HR outsourcing | Full-time CHRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Fractional CHROLeads people strategy as part of your leadership team | PEO or HR outsourcingHandles payroll, benefits, and HR administration | Full-time CHROLeads people strategy permanently |
| Time commitment | Fractional CHROPart-time, 20 to 60 hours a month | PEO or HR outsourcingOngoing service contract | Full-time CHROFull-time, permanent |
| Cost structure | Fractional CHROMonthly engagement fee | PEO or HR outsourcingPer-employee fee | Full-time CHROSalary, bonus, benefits, and a one-time search fee |
| Strategic input | Fractional CHROBuilds culture, compensation, and leadership plans around your goals | PEO or HR outsourcingStandardized processes and policies | Full-time CHROBuilds culture, compensation, and leadership plans around your goals |
| Best for | Fractional CHROGrowing companies that need senior HR leadership without full-time cost | PEO or HR outsourcingCompanies that need administrative HR support | Full-time CHROLarger companies with complex, full-time people leadership needs |
| How Frontline delivers | Fractional CHROA vetted slate of CHROs you choose from | PEO or HR outsourcingNot a Frontline service | Full-time CHROExecutive search backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty |
CHOOSING A PARTNER
What Should You Look for in a Fractional CHRO Firm?
A fractional CHRO gets access to your pay data, your employee relations issues, and your leadership team from the first week, so the firm that vets that person matters as much as the resume. Before you sign, get clear answers on these points:
How are the CHROs vetted?
Ask who screens them and on what. You want proof of HR functions they have actually led: the size of the workforce, the states they covered, and the compensation, compliance, or culture results they delivered. A case interview on a real people problem, reference calls with former CEOs or board members, credential checks such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR where they apply, and a background check should all happen before you meet anyone.
Do you get a choice?
Some firms assign whoever is available. A slate of two or three CHROs lets you judge industry fit, leadership style, and chemistry with your CEO and leadership team yourself.
What happens when you want to hire the CHRO full-time?
Many companies decide they need a full-time people leader once the fractional CHRO has the foundations in place. Find out whether conversion is allowed, what it costs, and what protection comes with it. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
Is the pricing out in the open?
Ask for a written proposal with hours, scope, and rate before you commit. Frontline publishes its placement fees on its pricing page, and its clients rate it 5.0 stars across 682 verified Trustpilot reviews.
HR LEADERSHIP ROLES
What Is the Difference Between a CHRO and an HR Manager?
Many growing companies keep their HR manager and add a fractional CHRO to lead and mentor them.
An HR manager runs day-to-day HR: onboarding, benefits questions, payroll coordination, and policy enforcement.
A CHRO sets the people strategy behind it: how the company is structured, how people are paid and promoted, how leaders are developed, and how HR supports business goals.
HOW IT WORKS
How Does Frontline Match You With a Fractional CHRO?
Scope the Engagement
A Frontline HR recruiter learns your headcount, locations, current HR setup, goals, hours, budget, and start date, then sends a written engagement proposal with scope, hours, and rate.
Meet a Vetted CHRO Slate
You interview 2 to 3 fractional CHROs from our network, screened on compliance knowledge, people strategy, industry fit, leadership style, references, and background, and choose the one who fits.
Start With a People Assessment and Plan
Your CHRO begins by reviewing your policies, compliance, compensation, and team structure, then delivers a written plan with risks to fix and priorities to build, while Frontline handles the engagement agreement, timesheets, and monthly billing.
Review, Replace, or Convert
Monthly account reviews keep the engagement on track. If the fit is wrong, Frontline presents a replacement slate at no added fee, and you can hire your CHRO full-time whenever you are ready.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
5.0 Trustpilot Across 682+ Reviews
TRUSTPILOT RANKINGS
OUR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TEAM
Meet the Frontline Executive Search Team
Bill Kasko
Shelly Hubble
Jessica Payne
Lindsey Davidson
Cassidy Jacobs
Mike Cook
Brittany Kasko
Kathy Granger
Rebecca Keathley
Julia Hyun
Euan Gomez
Shankar Ganesh
Joy Lee
Lexi Reed
Melanie West
How Does the 5-Year Placement Warranty Protect Your CHRO Hire?
When your fractional CHRO becomes a permanent hire, the placement is covered by the Frontline 5-Year Placement Warranty. The industry-standard guarantee is 90 days, so Frontline covers 20 times longer. Learn more about how our warranty works.
FOR HR LEADERS
Are You a CHRO or HR Executive Interested in Fractional Work?
Frontline is building a nationwide network of experienced HR executives who want part-time, interim, and project engagements with growing companies. Apply once, share your industries, HR specialties, availability, and preferred engagement types, and our HR recruiters will match you with clients. Everything starts online, and all interviews are set by appointment only.
Apply to join the networkFRACTIONAL CHRO LOCATIONS
Where Does Frontline Place Fractional CHROs?
Frontline places remote and on-site fractional CHROs nationwide, supported by 32+ local offices across major metros.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What Do Companies Ask Most About Fractional CHRO Services?
What is a fractional CHRO?
A fractional CHRO is an experienced chief human resources officer who works for your company part-time, usually 20 to 60 hours a month, instead of as a full-time employee. The fractional CHRO leads people strategy, HR compliance, compensation, leadership development, and culture, giving growing companies senior HR leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a fractional CHRO cost?
Fractional CHRO engagements typically cost $4,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on hours, headcount, and complexity. Experienced fractional CHROs usually bill $150 to $300 per hour. Frontline scopes each engagement on a discovery call and sends a written proposal with no hidden fees. Frontline's placement fees are published at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html.
When should a company hire a fractional CHRO?
Hire a fractional CHRO when people issues start affecting growth and your business has outgrown a generalist HR function. Common triggers include fast headcount growth, rising turnover, inconsistent pay and titles, employee relations or compliance issues reaching the CEO, expansion into new states, and covering an HR leadership vacancy during a search.
What is the difference between a CHRO and an HR manager?
An HR manager runs day-to-day HR operations such as onboarding, benefits, and policy enforcement. A CHRO sets the people strategy: organizational design, compensation, leadership development, and how HR supports business goals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $149,280 a year for human resources managers in May 2025, and CHROs typically earn more. Many companies pair an HR manager with a fractional CHRO.
Do we need a fractional CHRO or a PEO?
A PEO handles payroll, benefits, and HR administration. A fractional CHRO leads people strategy: culture, compensation, performance, leadership, and organizational design. They solve different problems, and many companies keep their PEO and add a fractional CHRO.
What size company benefits most from a fractional CHRO?
Fractional CHROs fit growing, mid-size companies where people decisions carry real risk and cost but a full-time CHRO salary is not yet justified. Smaller companies facing a merger, rapid growth, a multi-state expansion, or a compliance issue can also benefit, as can larger companies that need interim cover while they search for a permanent CHRO.
How many hours does a fractional CHRO work, and are they remote or on-site?
Most fractional CHROs work 20 to 60 hours a month, often one or two days a week, and scale up during reorganizations, mergers, or compliance projects. Engagements can be remote, on-site, or hybrid. Frontline matches you with a CHRO near one of its 32+ offices when on-site time matters, or with a remote CHRO anywhere in the United States.
How does Frontline vet fractional CHROs?
Every fractional CHRO in the Frontline network goes through executive-level screening covering employment compliance, compensation design, employee relations, and people strategy, a case interview on real HR scenarios, reference checks with prior CEOs or boards, credential verification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or similar where applicable), and a background check before meeting a client.
Who leads fractional CHRO placements at Frontline?
Fractional CHRO placements are led by Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Bill Kasko, Founder, President, and CEO, with support from Frontline's HR recruiting desk, including Lindsey Davidson, CDR, and Cassidy Jacobs. Their bios are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/shelly-hubble-staffing-services.html and frontlinesourcegroup.com/bill-kasko-staffing-services.html.
Can I hire my fractional CHRO full-time?
Yes. You can convert your fractional CHRO to a permanent, full-time hire at any point. Frontline handles the transition as a direct hire placement, and the hire is covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, which is 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard. Details are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/5year-placement-guarantee.html.
What happens if the fractional CHRO is not the right fit?
Tell your Frontline account manager. Frontline reviews every engagement monthly, and if the fit is not right, Frontline presents a replacement slate of vetted CHROs at no added fee so your people priorities keep moving.
Why choose Frontline Source Group for a fractional CHRO?
Frontline is an executive search firm founded in 2004, so it vets CHROs the way it vets permanent executives, lets you choose from a slate, and lets you hire your CHRO full-time with a 5-Year Placement Warranty. Frontline has completed 5,619 placements with a 98.94% executive placement retention rate, holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 682 verified reviews, has been on the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms list for 9 consecutive years, and operates 32+ offices nationwide. To get started, request an executive at frontlinesourcegroup.com/employer-request-form.html.
Ready to Meet Your Fractional CHRO?
Talk with a Frontline HR recruiter about your people goals, then meet a vetted slate of CHROs matched to your priorities.