Fractional work presents a new solution to this growing career dilemma. In a fresh spin on part-time work, fractional workers perform a “fraction” of a full-time job, often for multiple companies at once.
For companies, middle managers “going fractional” actually solves several problems. First, fractional middle managers form a workforce that scales upward to meet business needs but can be reduced in a downturn without mass layoffs. Fractional managers can be especially useful in the wake of a layoff when important skill gaps emerge, as part of digital transformation toward AI, and as AI makes small companies more powerful. These market forces are likely to create more fractional opportunities for middle managers in the coming years.
Middle managers are also desirable candidates for fractional work thanks to their valuable skill sets. With years of experience on execution, coordination, and strategic planning at companies large enough to have multiple reporting layers, managers have a strong command over their function and industry best practices that will be an asset to hiring teams. Moreover, the middle manager role already requires high EQ. This skill makes managers well-suited to juggling–and delighting–multiple clients instead of multiple internal stakeholders.
Three ways to find fractional work as a middle manager
If you’re a middle manager interested in fractional work, you have the flexibility to build a fractional practice around your experience, interests, and market demand (at the risk of crudely summarizing ikigai). Here is how middle managers can break into the three categories of fractional work by level.
1. Pursue fractional middle management work
The first path for middle managers is through fractional middle management work. Yes, these roles do exist, though they are still a smaller share of fractional opportunities overall. Job postings for fractional middle management roles can be found on platforms such as fractionaljobs.io or Catalant. Fractional middle manager roles typically have a narrow scope, such as: engagement manager at a consulting firm for one client project, project manager leading up to a launch, or keeping the lights on for a smaller product line. The fractional manager is still responsible for leading a team toward a specific goal–but with a twist. The direct reports may be fractional workers themselves. These fractional middle management roles might also be labeled as “part time”, “contractor”, or “temp” but in general, the company gets a partial headcount and the worker is able to work for other companies in their spare time.
