Fractional HR and people leaders in Australia
A fractional HR or people leader works with your business part-time to build the people side of the company. That covers HR foundations such as contracts, policies and performance, and talent work such as hiring plans, recruiting and employer brand.
Startups usually bring one in when the team is growing quickly, when hiring starts to take over the founder's week, or when HR basics need to be set up properly before they become a problem.
There are three common ways to work with a fractional HR leader. A fractional seat is an ongoing part-time role, usually a set number of days a week, where they own the function. A project is a defined piece of work with a clear finish line. Advisory is lighter touch, with regular check-ins to guide your team rather than doing the work.
Operators (6)
- Deepak Singh - 🚨 People problems, solved || 🛠️ Fractional Chief People Officer when you need it || 🧠Challenging how work actually works, Melbourne
I get called when the people stuff is on fire 🔥 A complaint, a leader isn’t working out, performance avoided, a formal process, a restructure, a redundancy, negotiating an exit, a tough conversation, or something just…
- Nicole Karagiannis - Fractional Chief People Officer , Sydney
- Sharon (Shaz) Daly - Talent Acquisition Leader | Start Ups & Scale-ups, Melbourne
I'm a Technology Talent Acquisition Leader with 20+ years of recruitment experience, including more than 16 years specialising in technology across Australia, Europe and Asia. My experience spans end-to-end recruitment…
- Julia Bailey - People-ing Playbooks , Melbourne
I work with businesses to set their strategy and stand up a people function , team and organisation capable of delivering it, or to sort out a people problem that needs attention or deliver a project. I’ve developed 11…
- Adam Axon - Fractional CPO, Melbourne
I help ambitious companies scale how their teams work together to deliver business and customer value
- Brylee Brooks - Globally experienced recruiter | Agency & Internal TA | I have built recruitment functions, Melbourne
Hi everyone, I’m Brylee, founder of Brooks People Advisory (BPA). BPA specialises in HR recruitment, but while I continue building the business, I’d also love to help other founders who need experienced recruitment supp…
From the blog
- Scaling doesn’t require giving up operational control.
The absence of a key role could be the handbrake holding back the growth of your business.
- You’ve Exhausted Your Friendship Group. Now What?
Recruit beyond your current network.
- "The Startup Ways of Working Don't Always Scale"
Spot the early people signals that your business may be outgrowing the ways of working that got you here, before they become bigger problems.
- The people fire at $5m is telling you what will break at $20m
Because fixing the person problem in front of you might solve this week. Fixing what created it can change how your business scales.
Frequently asked questions
What does a fractional HR leader do?
A fractional HR leader owns the people function part-time. That can include employment contracts and policies, performance and remuneration frameworks, culture, hiring plans and recruiting, onboarding and helping managers lead their teams.
How many days a week does a fractional HR leader work?
It depends on the stage and the work. Many start with one or two days a week and adjust as needs change. Some work on a project basis with a fixed scope, and others advise with a regular check-in. Talk it through with the operator directly.
How is a fractional HR leader different from a consultant?
A consultant usually delivers advice or a report and steps away. A fractional HR leader works inside your business as part of the team, owns outcomes and is accountable for results over time, just on a part-time basis.
How do I find a fractional HR leader in Australia?
Browse the profiles on this page and contact anyone directly through their profile. If you are not sure who fits, share a brief and matching operators can put their hand up. There are no recruiter or placement fees.