The Tip-Off
Why More Companies Are Turning to Fractional TA Leaders — and What It Means for You
The pressure on recruiting organizations has never been higher: rising req loads, volatile demand, and constant technology shifts. Full-time TA executives are expensive and hard to find. That’s why more companies — from mid-market to PE-backed portfolios — are turning to fractional TA leadership to stabilize performance and scale strategically.
The Court View
Fractional leadership isn’t a stopgap anymore; it’s a strategic model born from the same logic that popularized fractional CFOs and CMOs.
Organizations need senior-level expertise, but not always full-time overhead.
Recent market data shows:
- 42 % of growth-stage companies plan to use interim or fractional people leaders in 2025.
- The average time to fill a Head of TA role now exceeds 120 days.
Fractional leaders bridge that gap — delivering immediate oversight, tech and vendor alignment, and measurable process improvements while companies recruit or restructure.
The Play
A $2 billion professional-services firm had lost its global TA head during a merger. Recruiting stalled, hiring managers were frustrated, and agency spend ballooned. Within 90 days of engaging a fractional TA leader, the company rebuilt governance, consolidated vendors, and launched a new analytics dashboard. By quarter’s end, time-to-fill dropped 25 % and external spend decreased $300 K.
That’s the power of bringing in senior oversight exactly when and where it’s needed.
The Coaching Corner
- Most companies wait too long to bring in experienced leadership after turnover.
- High-performing teams act early, using fractional executives to maintain continuity and accelerate transformation.
The win: organizational agility without adding permanent cost.
The Box Score
Fractional TA leadership typically delivers:
- 30–40 % faster recovery from TA leadership turnover
- 20 % average reduction in cost-per-hire through vendor rationalization
- Higher quality-of-hire scores due to consistent process governance
The Assist
If your organization is between TA leaders or needs rapid transformation without long-term overhead, consider a fractional approach.
Sixth Man™ provides seasoned TA executives who step in when it matters most — stabilizing performance, elevating execution, and delivering measurable wins that last.
Sixth Man Insight
Leadership gaps don’t have to slow the game. A fractional TA leader keeps the offense moving while you rebuild the roster.
