Anchor Service • Retainer-Based

Fractional Chief People Officer

Get CPO-level People leadership and operational execution for your growing company. We design your org, build your people systems, and execute alongside your team — without adding another full-time executive.

$200K–350K
Annual savings vs. full-time CPO
$10K–25K/mo
Retainer investment
Full Scope
Not just HR, not just ops
What's Included

Full-Scope People Leadership

We don't just advise. We design, implement, train, and iterate until your people systems actually work.

Organizational Design

  • Org structure and reporting lines
  • Job architecture and leveling frameworks
  • Role clarity and team design
  • Department planning tied to business goals

Strategy & Goal Setting

  • OKRs and KPIs tied to outcomes
  • Workforce planning and headcount strategy
  • Operating cadence and accountability systems
  • Strategic planning tied to business execution

Talent & Recruiting

  • Hiring plans aligned to business goals
  • Interview design and hiring manager training
  • End-to-end recruiting support
  • Compensation strategy and offer negotiations

Performance & Development

  • Performance management frameworks
  • Manager enablement and leadership coaching
  • Career pathing and internal mobility
  • Team effectiveness and culture building

Operational Systems

  • HRIS, ATS, and payroll implementation
  • Workflow automation and process design
  • SOPs and operational infrastructure
  • Cross-functional systems alignment

Employee Relations & Advisory

  • Employee relations and conflict resolution
  • Policy development and handbook creation
  • Compliance guidance and risk management
  • Change management and restructuring support
How We Work

Embedded Partnership, Not Consulting

We plug in as your strategic People leader and work alongside your team until it's done right.

1

Discovery & Assessment

We map your current People, HR, and operational landscape. Identify gaps, urgent priorities, and what success looks like.

2

Strategic Roadmap

Build your People roadmap for the next 6-12 months. Prioritize what will have the biggest impact today.

3

Execute & Implement

We plug in as your CPO and get to work. Weekly or biweekly check-ins, hands-on execution, iteration with your team.

4

Ongoing Partnership

Month-to-month retainer with flexibility to scale. You get consistent access to strategic People leadership as long as you need it.

Investment

Transparent Retainer Pricing

Fractional CPO Retainer

$10K–25K/month

Based on company size, headcount, and scope of support

  • Strategic People roadmap and quarterly planning
  • Org design, leveling, and workforce planning
  • Operational systems implementation (HRIS, ATS, workflows)
  • Manager coaching and leadership enablement
  • Performance management and engagement programs
  • Policies, compliance, and employee relations support
  • Recruiting strategy and hiring support as needed
  • Weekly or biweekly check-ins with leadership
  • Slack/email access for ongoing support
  • Month-to-month commitment (30-day notice)
Perfect For

This Is For You If...

You've Outgrown Ad-Hoc HR

Your team is too big to handle HR on the fly, but you're not ready to hire a full-time CPO. You need structure, systems, and strategic support now.

You're Scaling Headcount

You're doubling the team in 12-18 months and need someone to design the org, build hiring processes, and make sure you don't break culture as you grow.

You Need Execution, Not Just Strategy

You don't want another consultant who delivers a deck and disappears. You need a partner who actually implements, trains your team, and stays until it works.

You're Navigating Change

You're restructuring, managing a reduction-in-force, or going through major operational shifts. You need experienced support to handle it with care and clarity.

You Want People + Operations Alignment

You recognize that People and Ops aren't separate functions. You need someone who can design org structure, set goals, and build systems that support execution.

You Value Partnership Over Credentials

You care more about execution and results than fancy titles or agency pedigree. You want a strategic partner embedded with your team, not a hands-off advisor.

FAQ

Common Questions

How is this different from hiring a full-time CPO?

You get the same strategic expertise and execution without the $200K–350K annual cost (salary, benefits, equity). Plus, you gain immediate access to systems, templates, and operational experience that would take a new hire months to build. And you can scale support up or down based on what you actually need.

What's the time commitment?

Retainers are month-to-month with a 30-day notice period. We recommend starting with a 3-month minimum to build momentum. Typical engagement is 10-20 hours per week, depending on scope and priorities.

Can we start with a project and convert to retainer?

Absolutely. Many clients start with a strategic sprint (org design, workforce planning, ATS implementation) and convert to ongoing retainer once they see the value of embedded partnership.

Do you work with our existing HR team or replace them?

We typically work alongside your existing team (if you have one) as the strategic leader. If you don't have HR yet, we act as your full People function. We're here to enable your team, not replace them.

What if we need recruiting support?

Recruiting strategy and hiring support can be included in your retainer or added as a separate project. We design your hiring process, train your team, and can run searches as needed.

How do you handle confidential employee matters?

We treat all employee and company information with complete confidentiality. We sign NDAs, follow your security protocols, and handle sensitive matters (terminations, investigations, etc.) with the same care as an internal leader.

Most fractional HR gives you strategy. We give you strategy and execution. We don't just advise — we implement, train, and iterate until it works.

Ready to Get Started?

Book a discovery call and let's talk about where your team is today, what you need most, and how fractional CPO support could help you scale with clarity.

Book Discovery Call →