The world of work is in constant motion, and one of the fastest-growing trends in the modern office is the growing presence of fractional workers.
Companies of all sizes, from startups to multinationals, are rethinking how they bring in temporary talent to increase productivity and drive results in their organisations. Rather than committing to the substantial cost of a full-time executive whose salary, benefits, and long-term overhead can weigh heavily on budgets, companies are increasingly embracing fractional talent. Highly experienced professionals who divide their time across multiple organisations, they bring specialised expertise and leadership across a wide arc of industry.
Employing fractional workers enables companies to access top-tier talent for a fraction of full-time costs, while allowing the professionals themselves career flexibility, diverse projects, and higher earnings. “A convergence of economic and workforce pressures is accelerating this trend,” explains Dr Paolo Yaranon, a lecturer in work and organisational psychology at Dublin City University Business School. “Budget pressures are reshaping how organisations approach senior talent. Economic uncertainty, tighter funding, and rising salary expectations make full-time executive hires increasingly difficult to justify, particularly in smaller firms.”
Fractional work is rapidly increasing, with executive-level, part-time roles growing by 57% between 2020 and 2022 and projected to be used by over 30% of midsize firms by 2027, explains Alastair Paterson, Commercial Director, recruitment brand Marks Sattin.
“Fractional working is gaining momentum in the UK and Ireland, a trend which has been catalysed by the significant shifts in post-pandemic workplace dynamics, and projected to be used by over 30% of midsize firms by 2027. Driven by economic pressure, demand for flexibility, and the need for specialised expertise, companies are hiring fractional CMOs, CFOs, and CTOs to save up to 40% compared to full-time hires.” In the early months of 2025, official statistics revealed that around 5% of UK employees were in temporary positions, equating to1.6 million people.
“This figure does not include the millions of self-employed independent contractors, and a shift which indicates a growing acceptance and adoption of fractional working as businesses seek to maintain activity amidst economic uncertainties.” He adds that, similarly in Ireland, part-time employment has been on the rise, accounting for about 20% of the total workforce by late 2024. “While not all part-time workers are engaged in multiple client roles, the statistic reflects an openness to reduced hours and flexible working arrangements.”
Amongst the primary advantages of turning to fractional hires is the ability to access high-calibre talent that might otherwise be unaffordable, allowing firms to tap into specialised skills that can drive significant strategic value. Fractional hires also mean considerable cost savings as businesses pay only for a specific time period, rather than a full annual salary. “Companies have reported seeing up to 60% reductions in labour costs by using fractional executives compared to full-time hires.
Additionally, fractional engagements allow for precise allocation of hours, tasks, and targets, ensuring that every paid hour is focused on priority work.” While factional work is gathering momentum across all industry sectors, it is currently most prevalent in the marketing, design, sales and technology sectors. Workers in these sectors will have frequently operated as freelancers, with lengthy experience of fractional working over full-time roles.
Fractional hires have proven their worth, particularly within firms planning to expand into new markets. “Entering a new market comes with inherent risks, from product-market fit challenges to regulatory hurdles,” said Gavin Page, Chief Revenue Officer, Sales Force Europe.
“A fractional CRO allows you to test the waters without making long-term financial or operational commitments.” Fractional hires can validate a go-to-market strategy, build a local sales team and refine a firm’s approach before it invests heavily in permanent infrastructure. “For tech startups looking to expand into Europe, fractional offers a strategic, cost-effective way to drive growth while mitigating risks. By bringing in an experienced revenue leader on a flexible basis, you gain access to market expertise, proven sales strategies and scalable leadership – all without the financial burden of a full-time hire.”
