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Protect & progress your career

The world of work is changing - and fractional leadership puts you ahead. Gain flexibility, diversify your income, and apply your expertise across high-growth companies without being tied to one employer. It’s not just about stepping away from corporate life - it’s about building a career that evolves with you. Transition confidently with Connectd into a flexible, future-ready model of executive work. 

A career that
works for you

Break free from the corporate mold and design a career that reflects your values and ambitions. As a fractional executive, you’ll apply your hard-earned expertise where it counts—helping high-growth businesses solve real challenges and drive operational and strategic excellence. Build a portfolio of meaningful fractional roles across sectors, expand your skill set, and enjoy the freedom to choose projects that energize you. 

Embrace the energy
of the early-stage

As a fractional leader, you’re not just advising - you’re partnering with founding teams to shape companies from the ground up. It’s your chance to shape innovation from the inside, guiding lean teams through complex operations to drive growth. With Connectd, you gain access to a global network of early-stage companies and support to thrive in this uniquely fast-paced environment. 

Why Connectd?

Apply today
220%
Increase in startups search for fractional
47%
Businesses use fractional support
150+
New startups each month

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.

Programme Breakdown

Your Placement

Strengthen your resume, build practical skills, and gain invaluable experience through guaranteed pro bono placements with high-growth startups. These hands-on opportunities allow you to apply your expertise and deepen your strategic and operational capabilities, while creating a strong foundation for future roles.

  • Build confidence, experience and expertise during a 6 month 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

Programme Breakdown

Innovation Academy

Tap into curated content designed to help you build a high-impact fractional C-suite career - combining strategic leadership with hands-on operational delivery. Learn how to position your expertise, acquire clients, and deliver value across diverse organizations. You’ll gain practical insights for running your business functions, from pricing and contracts to time management and personal brand.

  • Learn the fundamental skills, behaviors and attitudes of a fractional career across this 8 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

Programme Breakdown

Mentorship

Harness one-to-one support from an experienced expert with a proven track record and their own varied fractional portfolio. Our mentors offer practical advice for building your brand, growing your network, maximizing placements and securing paid positions.  

  • 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

Programme Breakdown

Our Community

From day one, you'll have access to a collaborative community of fractional leaders and dynamic companies. Join the the conversation on our dedicated community platform and access exclusive events, executive masterclasses, and peer-to-peer support from other experts working in this space.  

  • 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 fractional insights and industry trends

Your fractional executive 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 Organizations

    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.

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 as 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

Meet your renowned mentors

Martin Clay

Mentor

Manoj Thacker

Mentor

Lenna Lou

Mentor

Brian Fitzpatrick

Mentor

Paul Crick

Mentor

Tania Songini

Mentor

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's the difference between Fractional Leadership, Board Advisory and NED?

Fractional leaders are experienced professionals who work on a part-time basis in a senior leadership role (for example, a CFO or Head of Marketing). They are responsible for day-to-day leadership and execution in their area of expertise and will typically be embedded in the management team.

Board advisors provide - often highly targeted - advice to a company or leadership team, as well as mentoring, offering broader guidance and leveraging industry connections. Unlike non-executives, board advisors have no legal or fiduciary responsibilities.

Non-executive directors are formal board members but are not part of the executive management team. They provide oversight, governance and strategic direction, offering an independent and impartial perspective to constructively challenge the executive team. Non-execs must execute legal and fiduciary duties under corporate governance laws.

What is a vesting period and what is reasonable to expect, in terms of equity, 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).

Ambition needs expertise. Bring yours.

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