As summer winds down, many business leaders find themselves in a familiar place, looking at their teams, budgets, and priorities for the last stretch of the year. It’s a season of reflection and preparation. For many organizations, it’s also a season of urgency.
In today’s market, the pace of change isn’t slowing down. Regulatory requirements evolve, talent markets tighten, and employee expectations shift faster than most internal teams can keep up with. Companies still need top-tier HR leadership, but not every business can (or should) commit to a full-time executive. That’s where Fractional HR comes in.
What Is Fractional HR?
Fractional HR gives organizations access to senior-level expertise on a flexible, scalable basis. Instead of hiring a full-time CHRO or VP of HR, companies can engage an experienced leader for a fraction of the time, and cost, needed to deliver strategic results.
The right fractional HR leader can:
- Step into complex people challenges immediately
- Build or refine HR infrastructure without disrupting operations
- Coach and develop internal HR staff for long-term growth
- Serve as a trusted advisor to owners, CEOs, and boards during critical decision points
Why It Matters Right Now
The end of summer often marks the last realistic window to put new initiatives in place before year-end. This is when leadership teams set budgets, review performance, and decide what to carry forward into the new year. If gaps in people strategy aren’t addressed now, they’ll still be there, and likely bigger, by Q1.
Fractional HR allows you to address those gaps quickly. Whether it’s preparing for an acquisition, improving retention, or aligning your people strategy with business goals, fractional leadership brings the experience you need, exactly when you need it.
The Real Value
The most effective fractional HR leaders don’t just fill a seat, they solve the hard problems during critical times. They bring perspective earned across industries and challenges, knowing how to quickly assess a situation, identify what matters most, and take decisive action. It’s not about being “part-time,” it’s about being full-impact.
As the year begins to draw to a close, ask yourself: Do we have the right leadership focus on our people strategy? If the answer is anything less than a confident “yes,” now is the moment to explore fractional HR. The Christopher Group is here to help. Our fractional HR practice connects you with seasoned leaders who can step in, solve problems, and move your organization forward, without the cost and commitment of a full-time hire.
About Eric Torigian
Eric Torigian serves as the Managing Partner of The Christopher Group’s Interim and Fractional Services Division, bringing over three decades of global HR leadership across Fortune 500 companies and private equity-backed organizations. As a seasoned Global CHRO and transformation expert, Eric has built a distinguished track record leading complex business turnarounds, scaling operations, and delivering measurable value across a wide range of industries. His portfolio includes executive roles at iconic organizations such as Ford, Pepsi, NBC/Universal, and Comcast, as well as leadership assignments in private equity environments with assets ranging from $35B to $40B. Whether stabilizing operations, building executive teams, or driving organizational design, Eric consistently delivers results through a strategic, people-first approach. To learn more about Eric, visit his bio page.