What I learned building a fractional executive career

"Fractional leaders work in a C-suite or other senior role part-time, usually for multiple companies simultaneously. Job postings for fractional work are fairly limited, owing to their custom nature and partial workload. Instead, this job type relies heavily on the hidden job market."

"To maximize your chances of getting a fractional role, seek out events that your future manager would attend. Fractional roles are often at startups and SMBs, so prioritize conferences attracting those companies' founders, leadership, or investors. If you can't meet your prospective clients organically, try to have a mutual friend introduce you, engage on social media, or send a thoughtful cold email directly."

"After securing your first fractional role, you can follow the same path to get your second, or ask your existing client for a referral. Building a book of business takes time. Depending on your circumstances, it might make sense to seek out other freelance or even full-time work while growing your fractional career."

Fractional work represents the executive equivalent of freelancing, where senior leaders work part-time across multiple companies simultaneously. The author, a Harvard Law and Business School graduate, initially believed full-time roles were essential for success until a Bollywood opportunity revealed alternative career paths. Fractional roles typically emerge from organic networking rather than formal job postings due to their custom nature. Landing these positions requires attending industry conferences where startup founders and SMBs gather, leveraging mutual connections, engaging on social media, or sending targeted cold emails. Building a fractional career takes time, and professionals often combine fractional work with freelance or full-time positions initially. Referrals from existing clients become valuable once the first fractional role is secured.

Read at Fast Company