What’s the difference between hiring an employee for a full-time position or a specialist on a contract basis like a fractional CMO? It could mean the difference between consistent production and sporadic effects.
The Situation
Finding the right person for a job takes time. You hope it’s a long-term fit but let’s be honest, things don’t always work out that way. It gets more challenging when you’re looking for someone with specialized skills, like a Communications Director. For many churches, a full-time hire just isn’t in the budget, and finding someone great for a part-time role? Well, that’s a tough one.
Have you noticed what’s happening in the public sector when hiring for specialized positions? Companies hire someone only to have them leave for a different position in 1-1 ½ years. This reality makes it even more challenging for a tight budgeting church.
Do you hire someone knowing they may leave soon for a position that pays more? What about part-time? Not many people will take a specialized position on a part-time basis.
Options
The ideal solution would be to hire someone full-time for the position with an attractive salary and benefits package. In today’s market, at least in my area, attracting a specialist runs about $75k. With benefits, social security, unemployment insurance, etc. you’re looking at $100k.
The second option would be to hire someone on a part-time basis. The challenge that’s already been stated is finding a specialist who wants a part-time position. If you’ve been around churches much, you also know that hiring someone part-time leads to them being paid part-time but working close to full-time hours.
The third option is to find volunteers to perform the duties. The first negative that comes to mind is that they’re volunteers. They have jobs of their own. They could be inconsistent in their ability to help. If you have multiple volunteers, you’ll manage the workflow, schedule hours, and fill in when there’s a vacancy. Another negative is that the work can be inconsistent depending on skill levels and the number of people working.
The fourth option looks outward towards contracting. Hiring a Fractional CMO gives you part-time employment with specialization. With PO Communications Consultants, you can contract for five hours, or multiple days per month. Your budget dictates how much you hire. You end up with expertise, quality control, and consistency.
Full Time Employees
Positives:
- Focus is the execution of communication strategies
- Handles day-to-day communication tasks
- Graphics, newsletters, video, photography, website updates
- Managing media relations.
- Ensuring consistent messaging
- Strong emphasis on tactical execution
- Consistent and timely communication
- Maintains ongoing communication with the congregation and community
Negatives:
- Salary can be challenging
- Additional costs
- Benefits
- Software
- Computers
- Professional Development
- Underutilization if you don’t have enough programs
- If they are too specialized, they may have limited use
Part-Time and Volunteers
Positives:
- Volunteers:
- Cost-free
- Builds community environment
- Managed with oversight
- Part-Time:
- Handles day-to-day communication tasks.
- Managed by existing staff
Negatives:
- Volunteers:
- Provide training and support
- Must assign clear roles and responsibilities
- Can’t overburden
- Part-Time:
- Restricted hours
- Outside priorities
- Limited engagement
Fractional CMO
- Positives:
- Cost effective: Only pay for the time you need
- Strategic guidance for a short period
- Scalability: add more hours as needed
- Wide array of experience
- Negatives:
- Part-time: May not be available immediately
- Less involvement in church culture
- Church can become dependent on services
Conclusion
Hiring a Communications Director full-time is an ideal situation. The costs are high but the consistency may be worth it.
If hiring full-time isn’t an option, you could rely on part-time or volunteer workers. You may get inconsistent results.
Hiring a Fractional CMO provides expertise, consistent quality of work, and is scalable. However, you may become dependent on the services. They have other clients and may not be able to respond immediately.
Of course, as a Fractional CMO, I recommend using our services. It’s a great option provided you plan how to use the services. Reach out to Patrick to discuss options.
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