--- title: Become a Fractional Executive date: 2025-06-16T11:33:00+01:00 author: Ashley Dutton canonical_url: "https://www.connectd.com/us/executive" section: Pages --- ### Training and mentorship Complete our CPD-accredited Academy to learn how to apply your expertise in a fractional career. Throughout your journey, access 1-to-1 mentorship from seasoned portfolio professionals to refine your approach and navigate the nuances of fractional leadership. 01 ### Gain experience Get the hands-on fractional experience you need with a guaranteed role at a startup or scaleup. This allows you to apply your skills in a relevant environment, building the proof and real-world experience needed to launch your fractional services. 02 ### Grow your portfolio Leverage your experience to secure paid fractional opportunities through our global network. Gain full access to a consistent stream of fractional opportunities and a curated community designed to support your next career chapter. 03 - Build confidence, experience and expertise during a 3 month fractional executive placement - Create lasting connections within the startup ecosystem, laying the foundation for further engagements - Placement opportunities across over 100 sectors including emerging and disruptive industries - Learn the fundamental skills, behaviors and attitudes of a fractional executive across this 5 module programme - Earn up to 30 CPD-accredited points upon completion of the course - Curated by industry-leading specialists, educational materials will give you the foundations to succeed - Work with expert mentors spanning over 60 sectors, matched to your skills and goals - Benefit from impartial insights and confidential conversations in dedicated one-to-one sessions - Our flexible mentoring approach means you can enjoy support that fits around your schedule - Join our engaged fractional community to create connections and build your reputation - Upskill through webinars, roundtable discussions, and thought-leadership sessions - Stay up to date with the latest industry trends and insights ![](/uploads/Images/Placement.jpg) ![](/uploads/Images/Academy_Card.jpg) ![](/uploads/Images/Mentorship-Community.svg) ![](/uploads/Images/Events.jpg) ## Your learning academy ### Understanding the Fractional Role - #### The Evolution of Fractional Leadership Introduction to fractional leadership and its differences from full-time executive roles. - #### How Fractional Roles Differ Across Organisations Explore common fractional executive positions and how they operate in different company sizes. ### Transitioning to a Fractional Career - #### Managing Personal Change Navigate the personal adjustments required for a successful fractional career shift. - #### The Rewards and Challenges of a Fractional Career Weigh the unique benefits and hurdles of fractional professional life ### Transitioning to a Fractional Career - #### Managing Personal Change Navigate the personal adjustments required for a successful fractional career shift. - #### The Rewards and Challenges of a Fractional Career Weigh the unique benefits and hurdles of fractional professional life ### Building & Positioning Your Fractional Business - #### How to price your Fractional Business Learn effective strategies for accurately pricing your valuable fractional services. - #### Lead generation and networking Master techniques for attracting clients and expanding your professional network. ### Executing a a Fractional Executive - #### Managing Founder and Stakeholder Relationships Build strong, effective relationships with founders and key stakeholders. - #### Onboarding: The first 90 days Strategies for impactful onboarding and immediate value creation in new roles ### Managing your own Business Operations - #### Choosing the right business structure Select the optimal legal and operational structure for your fractional business - #### Understanding Personal Risk Identify and mitigate the personal risks associated with independent fractional work ## Connections facilitated With members in 80+ countries, our platform brings together the world’s most ambitious startups with expert fractional executives, preparing them to join the ranks of household names like Google, Meta, Shopify, and more. ![](/uploads/Logos/Microsoft_Logo.svg) ![](/uploads/Logos/Chase_Logo.svg) ![](/uploads/Logos/Shopify.png) ![](/uploads/Logos/Exxon_Mobil.png) ![](/uploads/Logos/Google.png) ![](/uploads/Logos/Meta.png) ![](/uploads/Logos/Goldman_Sachs.png) ![](/uploads/Logos/Informa.png) ### Independent Director Transition into high-level governance and strategic oversight. Use your advisory and executive experience to provide the independent challenge and rigorous board leadership needed to protect long-term shareholder value. ### Board Advisor Offer targeted mentorship and strategic guidance without fiduciary risk. Leverage your industry-specific network and insights to help founders navigate growth hurdles as a trusted external advisor. ### Fractional CMO Help shape the growth of startups and scaleups. Provide strategic support and develop marketing strategies that align customer acquisition with a growing businesses’s long-term commercial objectives. ### Fractional COO Become the integrator for high-growth ventures. Apply your operational expertise to implement the systems and team structures required to turn a founder’s vision into a functioning, scalable business. ### Fractional CTO Lead technical evolution from the top down. Provide the architectural oversight and product roadmaps needed to ensure a startup’s tech stack is scalable, secure, and ready for institutional investment. ### Fractional CFO Bring financial rigour to the early-stage ecosystem. Manage burn rates and lead fundraising rounds to build sustainable financial foundations for companies looking to scale rapidly. ### Fractional CIO Master internal digital transformation. Optimise data strategies and technology infrastructure to ensure a company’s internal operations drive a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage. ### Fractional CHRO Shape the future of high-performing startup cultures. Lead organisational design and people strategies that allow scaling companies to attract and retain top-tier talent as they grow. ### Fractional CISO Define the security standards for the modern enterprise. Establish the robust cybersecurity frameworks and compliance benchmarks needed to protect assets and build resilience against evolving digital threats. [ Apply today ](https://www.connectd.com/us/agents/us-ned-rr-direct) ## Meet your renowned mentors ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/MT.webp) ### Manoj Thacker Mentor ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/Martin-Clay.jpg) ### Martin Clay Mentor ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/Lenna-Lou-300x300.jpeg) ### Lenna Lou Mentor ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/Tania-Songini-1.png) ### Tania Songini Mentor ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/c-PersonalPaulCrick__paul.crickphilaskewphotography49_1694452468304.jpeg) ### Paul Crick Mentor ![](/uploads/Images/_720x720_crop_center-center_90_none/65df93d56212e8ac8f846a6e_1_JnnD8IWoN-ompspaXPPe5A.webp) ### Brian Fitzpatrick Mentor [ Fractional Execs ](https://www.connectd.com/us/executive) [ Board Advisors ](https://www.connectd.com/advisors) [ Independent Directors ](https://www.connectd.com/us/independent-director) ## Connect with more than 3,500 engaged startups and build your experience Previous Slide Next Slide ## Frequently asked questions ### How can Connectd guarantee my role? We provide a guaranteed pro bono placement for every member who finishes the online Academy for a particular pathway (Fractional C-suite, Advisor or NED). This Academy provides the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake the placement, which in turn provides you with the practical, hands-on experience of working with a dynamic company, building your skills and competencies and allowing the company to access your expertise. We have hundreds of high-growth companies, in over 100 sectors, actively seeking the talent they need to drive success. The Connectd platform intelligently matches fractional talent with companies looking for their specific skills and experience, meaning you will have access to a number of highly relevant opportunities; our placement team guarantees that we will find the right pro bono placement for you - and your career progress. What’s more, once your pro bono placement comes to an end, you can continue to work with the startup if agreeable to both parties, providing the opportunity to negotiate your remuneration as you move forward in the engagement. ### How does the Academy work? Is it recognised by an official provider? The Connectd Academy offers on-demand video content alongside practical follow-up exercises designed to help you build a successful fractional career at your own pace. Simply log in to the platform to access a wide range of modules covering both hard and soft skills. All content is created and curated by subject matter experts and is fully CPD-accredited, allowing you to leverage your learning outcomes as you expand your fractional portfolio. ### How long is a reasonable time to transition into a fractional portfolio career? Building a diverse and rewarding fractional portfolio can take several years, primarily due to the need for hands-on experience across the three to four core roles that typically define a successful fractional career. Our Transition to Portfolio programme is designed to support this journey while you remain in full-time corporate employment. Through the Connectd platform, you'll gain practical experience across these roles by working with a range of partner organisations within the Connectd community - accelerating your development, delivering lasting value to companies, and advancing your career trajectory. ### What is a vesting period and how will I be compensated as a fractional employee? Companies, especially startups or early-stage ventures, often compensate fractional employees with equity rather than cash. This approach helps conserve capital while aligning interests, offering a stake in the company’s future success in exchange for expertise, guidance, or part-time leadership. To manage risk and ensure continued contribution, this equity is typically granted over a vesting period, meaning it is earned incrementally over time or upon meeting certain performance milestones. A time based agreement might be that a certain amount of shares will vest over an agreed period (commonly between three and five years), whereas performance milestones will typically be measured on key metrics (for example when a revenue target or profitability is met). ## Check out the latest insights, resources, and guides from our global network [ For Experts### Can Retired Executives Become Independent Directors or Board Advisors? Retired executives filled 54% of new S&P 500 board seats in 2026. Here’s how to land yours. ![](/uploads/Images/_876x552_crop_center-center_90_none/pexels-vlada-karpovich-7433910-1.jpg) ](https://www.connectd.com/us/article/retired-executive-independent-director) [ For Experts### How to manage multiple clients as a fractional leader ![](/uploads/Images/_876x552_crop_center-center_90_none/blog2.10.26_3_1030-x-690-@-300dpi.webp) ](https://www.connectd.com/us/article/how-to-manage-multiple-clients-as-a-fractional-leader) [ For Startups### Go-to-Market Strategy for Startups: How to Turn Early Traction Into a Repeatable Growth Engine ![](/uploads/Images/_876x552_crop_center-center_90_none/Skills-you-need_1030-x-690.webp) ](https://www.connectd.com/us/article/go-to-market-strategy-for-startups) [ Go to the Knowledge Hub ](/learn) ## Ambition needs expertise. Bring yours. Ready to get started? [ Book a Call ](https://www.connectd.com/us/agents/us-ned-rr-direct) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png) ![](/dist/images/blob-red.png)