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Home  /  Ways to Work With Us  /  Fractional HR

Fractional HR Director & HR Manager Support

Senior HR expertise embedded in your business for agreed days each week or month. All the experience of a senior HR lead, without the cost of a full-time hire.

Book a 15-minute call Call 020 3773 0992
Senior HR lead working alongside a leadership team
Fractional HR Senior HR Expertise
Agreed Days Per Week or Month Sits alongside your leadership team

Fractional HR

What Is Fractional HR?

A fractional HR lead is a senior HR professional who works as part of your leadership team on a part-time basis. They set your people strategy, lead on complex issues and build HR processes that last.

You get the experience of an HR director or senior HR manager for the days you actually need, whether that’s one day a month or a few days a week, without the salary, recruitment fees and long-term commitment of a full-time hire.

Senior, CIPD-qualified HR leadAgreed days per week or monthSits alongside your leadership team

Example: 2 days a week

How a typical fractional arrangement could look

Week 1MONTUEWEDTHUFRI
Week 2MONTUEWEDTHUFRI
Week 3MONTUEWEDTHUFRI
Week 4MONTUEWEDTHUFRI

Your fractional HR lead works set days with your team, and the wider Clearpath UK team is on hand for urgent issues in between.

Is it time?

Signs You’re Ready for Fractional HR

Most businesses reach a point where ad-hoc HR advice is no longer enough, but a full-time HR director still feels like a big step. If these sound familiar, fractional HR could be the answer.

Recognise three or more?Let’s talk about fractional HR
HR issues take up too much leadership time
You’ve outgrown ad-hoc HR advice
You’re planning growth, a merger or a restructure
Your HR officer needs senior backing
People decisions lack a clear strategy
Managers handle issues in different ways
You’re not confident you’re compliant
Staff turnover is higher than you’d like

Who it’s for

Is Fractional HR Right for You?

Fractional HR suits businesses that need senior HR thinking, but not a full-time HR director.

Growing businesses

You’re ready for senior HR input to support growth, but a full-time salary isn’t justified yet.

Change and restructure

You need a steady senior hand through a merger, TUPE transfer or reorganisation.

Stretched HR teams

Your HR officer or administrator needs senior support, direction and mentoring.

Interim cover

Your HR leader is on leave, or you need cover while you recruit a permanent replacement.

What they do

What Your Fractional HR Lead Does

Your fractional HR lead works on the things that need senior experience, and makes sure the day-to-day HR runs smoothly around them.

Sets your people strategy and HR priorities
Reports to the board on HR and people metrics
Leads complex employee relations cases
Manages restructures, TUPE and change
Builds your policies, handbook and HR processes
Coaches and develops your managers
Shapes recruitment and onboarding
Prepares you for the Employment Rights Act changes

Choose your level

Fractional HR Director or Fractional HR Manager?

Both work part-time as part of your team. The difference is the level of seniority and where they focus their time.

STRATEGIC

Fractional HR Director

Best for businesses that need senior people strategy and board-level HR leadership.

Sets your people strategy and HR priorities
Advises the board and leadership team
Leads major change, restructures and TUPE
Designs reward, culture and development plans
Oversees your HR team or HR provider
OPERATIONAL

Fractional HR Manager

Best for businesses that need experienced, hands-on HR running smoothly day to day.

Manages employee relations cases
Runs absence, performance and probation processes
Keeps policies, contracts and records up to date
Supports managers with everyday people issues
Handles recruitment and onboarding processes

Not sure which you need? Many businesses start with a fractional HR manager and add director-level input as they grow.

Compare

Fractional HR vs a Full-Time HR Manager

How fractional HR compares with hiring in-house, or with a monthly HR subscription.

Full-time HR manager

Hiring in-house

COSTFull salary plus employer costs
COMMITMENTPermanent employment
SENIORITYDepends on who you can afford
STRATEGIC INPUTVaries with experience
TIME IN YOUR BUSINESSEvery day
COVERStops when they’re off
RECRUITMENTFees and time to hire
Best for senior HR, part-time

Fractional HR

With Clearpath UK

COSTPay only for the days you need
COMMITMENTFlexible, agreed days per week or month
SENIORITYSenior, CIPD-qualified HR lead
STRATEGIC INPUTSets people strategy with your leadership team
TIME IN YOUR BUSINESSSet days, on site or remote
COVERBacked by the wider Clearpath UK team
RECRUITMENTStart in weeks, not months

HR subscription

Monthly advice

COSTFixed monthly fee
COMMITMENTMonthly agreement
SENIORITYNamed adviser
STRATEGIC INPUTAdvice when you need it
TIME IN YOUR BUSINESSOn call by phone and email
COVERBacked by the wider Clearpath UK team
RECRUITMENTStart straight away
Strong fitPartlyDrawback

How it works

Getting Started With Fractional HR

A simple, flexible arrangement that fits around your business and changes as you do.

STEP 1

Agree your days

We talk through your goals and challenges and agree how many days you need, and when.

STEP 2

Onboard

Your fractional HR lead gets to know your business, reviews your HR set-up and agrees priorities.

STEP 3

Embed

They work set days with your team, join leadership meetings and lead on the work that matters.

STEP 4

Review

We review progress and your needs regularly, and adjust your days up or down as things change.

Early results

Your First 90 Days With a Fractional HR Lead

You’ll see progress from the first month. Here’s what a typical first 90 days looks like.

1MONTH 1

Audit and quick wins

  • Review your contracts, policies and HR records
  • Identify the biggest risks and gaps
  • Fix urgent issues and live cases
2MONTH 2

Policies and processes

  • Update key policies and your handbook
  • Set up consistent absence, performance and probation processes
  • Brief and support your managers
3MONTH 3

Strategy and people plan

  • Agree your HR priorities for the year ahead
  • Build a people plan linked to your business goals
  • Set up simple HR reporting for your leadership team

Typical arrangements

How Much Time Do You Need?

Every arrangement is tailored, but most businesses start with one of these.

Light touch

A few days a month

For smaller businesses that need senior HR direction without day-to-day involvement.

  • Monthly strategy and priorities
  • Oversight of HR issues and risks
  • Support for your managers
Most common

1 day a week

For growing businesses that want a senior HR lead involved in the business every week.

  • Regular time with your leadership team
  • Hands-on support with complex cases
  • Policies, processes and projects moving forward
Embedded

2–3 days a week

For larger teams, or businesses going through significant change or growth.

  • Leads major change and restructures
  • Manages or mentors your in-house HR team
  • Board-level HR reporting

Not sure how much time you need? Book a 15-minute call and we’ll help you work it out.

Included as standard

What’s Included With Fractional HR

Every fractional HR arrangement comes with the support you need to make it work from day one.

Named senior HR leadThe same person every time
The wider team behind themCover for urgent issues
Templates and documentsLetters, policies and forms
Regular review meetingsProgress checked and days adjusted
On site or remoteWhatever works for your team
Direct contactEasy to reach when you need them

Ways to work with us

Other Ways to Work With Us

Not sure? See common HR challenges →
Pay as you goFor occasional, one-off issues.Learn more →SubscriptionFor steady, ongoing support.Learn more →Project basisFor a defined piece of work.Learn more →RetainerFor predictable monthly need.Learn more →

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What Our Clients Say

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Read our reviews on Bark 5.0 ★
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First Class in Every Aspect

“Absolutely first class with help in every aspect of my business. The knowledge and time invested in me and my business has been exceptional.”

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Clare E. Google review
★★★★★

Kept Informed Throughout

“I had an excellent experience with Clearpath. The team was professional, supportive, and kept me informed throughout the recruitment process.”

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Paula S. Google review
★★★★★

Long-Term Sickness Resolved

“We spoke to Clearpath in relation to one of our staff who was on long term sick, Clearpath supported us with our difficulties and provided a resolution. Highly recommended.”

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Book your free consultation today — we’re excited to help your business thrive.

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

What’s the difference between fractional HR and an HR consultant?

A fractional HR lead works as part of your leadership team on an ongoing basis, for agreed days each week or month. An HR consultant is usually brought in for a specific project or piece of advice. With fractional HR, you get continuity and someone who really knows your business.

Q2

How many days will we need?

It depends on your size, goals and challenges. Many businesses start with a few days a month or one day a week. We’ll help you work out the right amount in a free 15-minute call, and review it regularly.

Q3

Will our fractional HR lead work on site or remotely?

Either, or a mix of both. We’ll agree what works best for your business, for example on site for leadership meetings and remote for day-to-day support.

Q4

Can we change the number of days later?

Yes. We review your arrangement regularly and can increase or reduce your days as your business grows or your needs change.

Q5

What happens if we need help on a day they’re not working with us?

Your fractional HR lead is backed by the wider Clearpath UK team, so urgent issues can still be picked up between your agreed days.

Still have a question? Speak to an adviser on 020 3773 0992 or send us a message.
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