What's the Difference and Why It Matters
When leadership gaps appear, whether that's through growth, transition, or departure, many companies look beyond traditional full-time hiring.
That’s where Interim and Fractional leadership come in.
But while these models are often used interchangeably, they solve very different problems.
At Ironpaw Partners, we help companies choose the right model for the moment. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s the Difference Between Interim and Fractional Leadership?
Interim Leadership | Fractional Leadership |
|---|---|
Full-time, short-term | Part-time, long-term |
Crisis or transition management | Strategic support while scaling |
Stabilizes during executive vacancy | Adds capacity without adding headcount |
Often temporary bridge to permanent hire | Often long-term embedded partnership |
How to Choose the Right Model
Choose Interim if… | Choose Fractional if… |
|---|---|
You’ve had a sudden executive departure | You need experienced leadership but not full-time hours |
The business is in crisis, transition, or restructuring | You’re scaling a function or team strategically |
You’re navigating an M&A integration or divestiture | You want consistent guidance without long-term commitment |
You need a full-time leader on-site for a defined period | You want leadership embedded part-time across multiple initiatives |
You’re bridging the gap to a permanent hire | You’re focused on operational maturity, roadmap, or transformation |
Ironpaw Perspective: It’s Not About Time
It’s About Fit
The real difference isn’t just hours on the clock — it’s about intent and context.
We’ve led in both capacities, and we know that filling a seat and fueling growth require different approaches.
The best leaders meet the moment.
The best companies know which moment they’re in.
