Fractional Compliance & DPO: Buy Expertise, Not a Full Time Salary
GRC Catalyst offers fractional Compliance Officer and Data Protection Officer services to pharma, biotech, and life sciences organisations. But why engage a fractional Compliance or Data Protection Officer, and what benefits can they offer a company?
The “fractional” executive has gained traction over the last five years. Use of the term was limited before the mid-2010’s and it started to emerge with the evolution of the gig economy and contractor work models. Nowadays, fractional roles form part of mainstream recruitment and are a recognised option for startups, SMEs and similar organisations.
Why a fractional Compliance or Data Protection Officer makes sense for life sciences startups
Fractional Compliance Officer and Data Protection Officer services give organisations access to senior, specialist compliance and data-protection expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.
Experienced fractional officers provide that independent challenge that improves board-level assurance and increases operational confidence. Their background and proven skill set ensures they can onboard quickly and start adding value from day one.
- Cost‑effective senior expertise: fractional roles give access to experienced, senior compliance and data protection leaders at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive. This means you only need to buy expertise for the hours and scope you need.
- Flexible, focused support for specialist needs: pharma, biotech, and life sciences are highly regulated, requiring specific healthcare and data protection expertise. Fractional officers can provide specialist advice around setting up clinical trials or transitioning from R&D to commercial. Or if you are expanding into new markets, they can ensure your cross-border data transfers meet global requirements.
- Faster regulatory readiness: fractional officers accelerate the implementation of fit-for-purpose systems and processes. Their risk-based approach means they focus on what’s important to you, your regulators, and key stakeholders.
- Scalable governance: a fractional model grows and adapts with you and your risk profile. You will have access to trusted, on-demand expertise from someone who knows your organisation and can respond quickly. And, when you’re ready for a full-time hire, you know there will be an effective handover process.
How engagements typically work
There are a number of models for Fractional Compliance or Data Protection Officers which can be adapted to your specific business needs. Typical engagements follow a short discovery phase, defined scope, and a mix of retainer and project work
- Scope and SoW: there is a contract covering a fixed number of hours per month with clearly defined deliverables for your fractional service. The Statement of Work (SoW) clarifies responsibilities and expectations but can be updated to reflect current needs.
- Mixed delivery: the contract covers a combination of retainer hours for ongoing advice, project work for discrete milestones, and hourly ad‑hoc support for incidents.
- Virtual: you pay a retainer with on-demand access to compliance and data protection advice through a support desk. The split between included and hourly-paid support depends on the choice of retainer package.
In summary
Fractional Compliance Officers or Data Protection Officers are a strategic enabler for your organisation. They protect value, support regulatory compliance, and create repeatable governance that scales with research and commercial activity. For startups, SMEs, and similar organisations in the pharma, biotech, and life science sectors, the fractional model buys executive‑level expertise in a way that supports your budget, aligns with your key milestones, and builds sustainable operational capability within your organisation.
Book a complimentary 30‑minute discovery to see how a fractional officer would work for you. E-mail us at contact@grc-catalyst.com or use our contact form.
