[ WHAT IS FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP? ]

A fractional leader is simply a part-time, embedded leader. They have the same responsibilities as a full-time role, just on a part-time and ongoing basis.


The fractional model isn't new. It's common across finance, HR, operations, marketing and sales, and other business functions. But it's relatively new to sustainability, and it's becoming a high-impact model for SMBs ready to make meaningful progress on sustainability.


Not every business is ready for a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). And hiring a junior-level professional often leaves gaps in the experience and leadership needed to design, build, and implement a sustainability program.


A Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL) bridges that gap for SMBs, providing both deep sustainability expertise and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide your business' efforts.

[ DEFINITION ]

an embedded, senior-level sustainability professional who works on a part-time basis to develop and execute a business' sustainability strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable results.


Source:

Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective

Fractional Sustainability
Leader (FSL)


[ WHAT IS FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP? ]

A fractional leader is simply a part-time, embedded leader. They have the same responsibilities as a full-time role, just on a part-time and ongoing basis.


The fractional model isn't new. It's common across finance, HR, marketing and sales, operations, and other business functions. But it's relatively new to sustainability, and it's becoming a high-impact model for SMBs ready to make meaningful progress on sustainability.


Not every business is ready for a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). And hiring a junior-level professional often leaves gaps in the experience and leadership needed to design, build, and implement a strong sustainability program.


A Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL) bridges that gap for SMBs, providing both deep sustainability expertise and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide your business' efforts.

[ DEFINITION ]

an embedded, senior-level sustainability professional who works on a part-time basis to develop and execute a business' sustainability strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable results.


Source:

Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective

Fractional Sustainability
Leader (FSL)


What are the benefits for business?

  • Access to senior-level expertise and leadership

  • Hands-on support, not just strategic guidance

  • Cost effective: lower overhead than a full-time role

  • Flexible: scalable hours and engagement models

  • A long-term partner who understands your business and knows your team

How is an FSL engagement structured?

  • Director, VP, or above role and responsibilities

  • Reports into a VP or executive leadership

  • Part-time, from 1/2 day to a few days per week

  • Embedded, often has an internal email account

  • Significant influence on decision making

  • May oversee internal staff of external partners

  • Long-term engagement, often 1 year or greater

Ready to explore how a Fractional Sustainability Leader could support your business?

Contact Brian to Learn More

[CASE STUDY]


How Fractional Sustainability Leadership Delivers Results

Discover how One Small Step supported an energy technology manufacturer in navigating increasing sustainability expectations from owners, customers, and emerging regulations through a Fractional Sustainability Leader engagement.


Click to read more

[CASE STUDY]


How Fractional Sustainability Leadership Delivers Results

Discover how One Small Step supported an energy technology manufacturer in navigating increasing sustainability expectations from owners, customers, and emerging regulations through a Fractional Sustainability Leader engagement.


Click to read more

Brian is a Founding Member and Operations Director of the Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective, an association leading the adoption of fractional leadership within the sustainability profession. Learn more, here.

Brian is a Founding Member and Operations Director of the Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective, an association leading the adoption of fractional leadership within the sustainability profession. Learn more, here.

© 2025 | One Small Step LLC

© 2025 | One Small Step LLC

Sustainability Leadership, Simplified.

As a Fractional Sustainability Leader I help your business chart the right course, offering embedded expertise and leadership without the need for a full-time hire.

Sustainability Leadership, Simplified.

As a Fractional Sustainability Leader I help your business chart the right course, offering embedded expertise and leadership without the need for a full-time hire.

© 2025 | One Small Step LLC

© 2025 | One Small Step LLC

What are the benefits for business?

  • Access to senior-level expertise and leadership

  • Hands-on support, not just strategic guidance

  • Cost effective: lower overhead than a full-time role

  • Flexible: scalable hours and engagement models

  • A long-term partner who understands your business and knows your team

How is a FSL engagement structured?

  • Director, VP, or above role and responsibilities

  • Reports into a VP or executive leadership

  • Part-time, from 1/2 day to a few days per week

  • Embedded, often has an internal email account

  • Significant influence on decision making

  • May oversee internal staff of external partners

  • Long-term engagement, often 1 year or greater

What are the benefits for business?

  • Access to senior-level expertise and leadership

  • Hands-on support, not just strategic guidance

  • Cost effective: lower overhead than a full-time role

  • Flexible: scalable hours and engagement models

  • A long-term partner who understands your business and knows your team

How is a FSL engagement structured?

  • Director, VP, or above role and responsibilities

  • Reports into a VP or executive leadership

  • Part-time, from 1/2 day to a few days per week

  • Embedded, often has an internal email account

  • Significant influence on decision making

  • May oversee internal staff of external partners

  • Long-term engagement, often 1 year or greater

Ready to explore how a Fractional Sustainability Leader could support your business?

Contact Brian to Learn More

Ready to explore how your business could benefit
from a Fractional Sustainability Leader?

Contact Brian to Learn More

[ WHAT IS FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP? ]

A fractional leader is simply a part-time, embedded leader. They have the same responsibilities as a full-time role, just on a part-time and ongoing basis.


The fractional model isn't new. It's common across finance, HR, operations, marketing and sales, and other business functions. But it's relatively new to sustainability, and it's becoming a high-impact model for SMBs ready to make meaningful progress on sustainability.


Not every business is ready for a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). And hiring a junior-level professional often leaves gaps in the experience and leadership needed to design, build, and implement a sustainability program.


A Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL) bridges that gap for SMBs, providing both deep sustainability expertise and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide your business' efforts.

[ DEFINITION ]

an embedded, senior-level sustainability professional who works on a part-time basis to develop and execute a business' sustainability strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable results.


Source:

Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective

Fractional Sustainability
Leader (FSL)


A fractional leader is simply a part-time, embedded leader. They have the same responsibilities as a full-time role, just on a part-time and ongoing basis.


The fractional model isn't new. It's common across finance, HR, marketing and sales, operations, and other business functions. But it's relatively new to sustainability, and it's becoming a high-impact model for SMBs ready to make meaningful progress on sustainability.


Not every business is ready for a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). And hiring a junior-level professional often leaves gaps in the experience and leadership needed to design, build, and implement a strong sustainability program.


A Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL) bridges that gap for SMBs, providing both deep sustainability expertise and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide your business' efforts.

[ WHAT IS FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP? ]

[ DEFINITION ]

an embedded, senior-level sustainability professional who works on a part-time basis to develop and execute a business' sustainability strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable results.


Source:

Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective

Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL)


A fractional leader is simply a part-time, embedded leader. They have the same responsibilities as a full-time role, just on a part-time and ongoing basis.


The fractional model isn't new. It's common across finance, HR, marketing and sales, operations, and other business functions. But it's relatively new to sustainability, and it's becoming a high-impact model for SMBs ready to make meaningful progress on sustainability.


Not every business is ready for a full-time Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). And hiring a junior-level professional often leaves gaps in the experience and leadership needed to design, build, and implement a strong sustainability program.


A Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL) bridges that gap for SMBs, providing both deep sustainability expertise and the leadership experience necessary to effectively guide your business' efforts.

[ WHAT IS FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIP? ]

[ DEFINITION ]

an embedded, senior-level sustainability professional who works on a part-time basis to develop and execute a business' sustainability strategy, engage stakeholders, and drive measurable results.


Source:

Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective

Fractional Sustainability Leader (FSL)


What are the benefits for business?

  • Access to senior-level expertise and leadership

  • Hands-on support, not just strategic guidance

  • Cost effective: lower overhead than a full-time role

  • Flexible: scalable hours and engagement models

  • A long-term partner who understands your business and knows your team

How is an FSL engagement structured?

  • Director, VP, or above role and responsibilities

  • Reports into a VP or executive leadership

  • Part-time, from 1/2 day to a few days per week

  • Embedded, often has an internal email account

  • Significant influence on decision making

  • May oversee internal staff of external partners

  • Long-term engagement, often 1 year or greater

What are the benefits for business?

  • Access to senior-level expertise and leadership

  • Hands-on support, not just strategic guidance

  • Cost effective: lower overhead than a full-time role

  • Flexible: scalable hours and engagement models

  • A long-term partner who understands your business and knows your team

How is an FSL engagement structured?

  • Director, VP, or above role and responsibilities

  • Reports into a VP or executive leadership

  • Part-time, from 1/2 day to a few days per week

  • Embedded, often has an internal email account

  • Significant influence on decision making

  • May oversee internal staff of external partners

  • Long-term engagement, often 1 year or greater

[CASE STUDY]

Discover how One Small Step supported an energy technology manufacturer in navigating increasing sustainability expectations from owners, customers, and emerging regulations through a Fractional Sustainability Leader engagement.


Click to read more

How Fractional Sustainability Leadership Delivers Results

[CASE STUDY]

Discover how One Small Step supported an energy technology manufacturer in navigating increasing sustainability expectations from owners, customers, and emerging regulations through a Fractional Sustainability Leader engagement.


Click to read more

How Fractional Sustainability Leadership Delivers Results

Ready to explore how your business could benefit
from a Fractional Sustainability Leader?

Contact Brian to Learn More

Ready to explore how your business could benefit
from a Fractional Sustainability Leader?

Contact Brian to Learn More

Brian is a Founding Member and Operations Director of the Fractional Sustainability Leaders Collective, an association leading the adoption of fractional leadership within the sustainability profession. Learn more, here.

Sustainability Leadership, Simplified.

As a Fractional Sustainability Leader I help your business chart the right course, offering embedded expertise and leadership without the need for a full-time hire.

Sustainability Leadership, Simplified.

As a Fractional Sustainability Leader I help your business chart the right course, offering embedded expertise and leadership without the need for a full-time hire.