Flexible HR Support, Built Around Your BusinessWe Offer Retainer & Project-Based Services

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Fractional HR Leadership

Not every business needs a full-time HR director, but every business deserves great HR. Our fractional HR leadership service gives you an experienced HR partner embedded in your team, providing the strategic guidance, day-to-day support, and people expertise you need to grow with confidence. We work alongside your leadership to build the structure, policies, and culture that keep your team engaged and your business protected.

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Compensation Strategy

Paying your people well — and paying them fairly — is one of the most powerful things you can do for retention and morale. We help you build compensation strategies that are grounded in real market data and designed to scale with your business. From benchmarking your current pay against industry standards to designing full compensation structures and leveling frameworks, we give you the clarity to make confident, competitive pay decisions.

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HR Compliance & Audits

HR compliance can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We take a thorough, plain-language approach to reviewing your current practices, policies, and documentation to identify gaps before they become costly problems. Our compliance audits cover federal and state employment law requirements, I-9 and recordkeeping practices, required notices, and overall risk exposure. You'll walk away with a clear action plan and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where you stand.

Employee Handbooks & Policies

Your employee handbook is often the first real impression your culture makes, and it needs to do more than just check a legal box. We write handbooks and workplace policies that are clear, readable, and actually reflect how your organization works. Whether you need a single-state handbook for a small team or a multi-state handbook for a distributed workforce, we make sure every policy is up to date, legally sound, and easy for employees to understand and follow.

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Performance & Workforce Planning

Great performance doesn't happen by accident, it happens when people have clear expectations, regular feedback, and the right tools to succeed. We help you build performance review frameworks that are fair, consistent, and actually useful for managers and employees alike. We also develop job description libraries that bring clarity to every role in your organization, and work with your leadership team on workforce planning to ensure you have the right people in the right seats as your business evolves.

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Leadership Development & Training

Your managers set the tone for everything, and investing in their growth pays dividends across your entire organization. We offer focused manager training sessions that tackle real-world challenges like difficult conversations, documentation, performance accountability, and team communication. For organizations committed to building long-term leadership capacity, our structured 6–12 month leadership programs provide a deeper, more transformative experience — combining coaching, curriculum, and real-time application to develop the confident, capable leaders your business needs.

Strategic HR support for growing businesses at a fraction of the cost of a full-time HR director.

Our packages start at $1,500/month and give growing businesses access to strategic HR support without the cost of a full-time HR leader. Pricing depends on company size, employee count, compliance complexity, and level of support needed.
HR Foundations
Project-Based Fee

HR structure and compliance basics for small businesses without formal HR in place.

  • Employee files, onboarding, and basic HR audit and workflows
  • Handbook review or creation and policy updates
  • Federal/state compliance checklist and required notices
  • Payroll process review and issue-spotting
  • 90-day HR roadmap
  • Employee questions, HR guidance, and manager support
Fractional HR - Build & Align
From $3,500/mo

For growing companies that need support with hiring, performance, compensation, and management.

  • Everything in Workplace Foundations with ongoing support
  • Job descriptions, recruiting process, and offer letter support
  • Performance reviews, goal setting, and manager feedback tools
  • Compensation benchmarking and raise/promotion guidance
  • Manager coaching, documentation, and accountability support
  • Structured onboarding improvements and role clarity
  • Turnover analysis and retention strategy guidance
Strategic & Growth Partner
From $5,500/mo

A strategic fractional HR partner for companies ready to scale without hiring a full-time HR leader.

  • Everything in Workforce Build & Align
  • Workforce planning, people strategy, and executive HR guidance
  • Multi-state compliance, employee relations risk, and audit readiness
  • Salary structures, leveling, and compensation design
  • Manager training, leadership coaching, and executive partnership
  • Regular leadership meetings and decision support
  • People-risk planning and proactive HR strategy
  • Culture assessment and employee experience improvements

Discover Strategic HR Solutions Tailored for Your Business Growth

Take the first step towards effective workforce planning and compliance. Schedule a no-commitment, 30-minute consultation to see how we can support your goals.

What Our Clients Say About Our Strategic HR Solutions

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Nicolette and VanBaalen Consulting across two companies. After experiencing the value of her team’s work, I made a point to bring VanBaalen Consulting on as our first HR partner at AtmosZero. From building compensation structures and job leveling frameworks to supporting international HR needs and ensuring compliance across multiple geographies, Nicolette and her team have been a critical part of scaling our operations. Their strategic, responsive, and personable approach has made them a trusted and seamless extension of our team.
J
Josh M
Director of Business and People Operations
AtmosZero
Working with VanBaalen has been a game-changer for us. Their strategic HR consulting provided clarity on our compensation structures, resulting in a 30% reduction in turnover. I appreciate their tailored approach and expertise. Working with Nicolette and her team has been one of the best decisions I've made for my business. They've given me my time and mental real estate back to focus on growth. Nicolette is extremely prompt, professional, and a joy to work with. I could not recommend her and her team more
T
Tara L
Founder & Executive Director
Upward Nova Wild
When I started Carfeine, I quickly learned what every founder eventually learns: HR is a distraction and a headache that scales faster than you do. Finding Nicolette and the VanBaalen Consulting team was one of the best operational decisions I've made. Nearly ten years later, I've never once regretted it. Nicolette is sharp, personable, and genuinely good at what she does. She doesn't service the work; she invests in the outcome, and that's the kind of partner you don't replace.
M
Mike M
CEO
Carfeine

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Common Questions, Answered
What are your consulting services and how do they work?

At The VanBaalen Consulting Group, we provide a range of strategic HR consulting services including fractional HR leadership, workforce planning, compensation strategies, and performance management systems. Our process begins with a thorough assessment of your current people operations, followed by tailored recommendations and implementation support to align your HR strategy with your business goals.

How is pricing structured for your consulting services?

Our pricing is based on the specific services required and the complexity of your organization’s needs. We offer flexible packages ranging from hourly consulting rates to comprehensive project-based pricing. During the initial consultation, we will discuss the scope of work and provide a clear proposal outlining the investment necessary for our partnership.

What kind of support can I expect after we begin working together?

We believe in a collaborative approach and will be with you every step of the way. You can expect regular check-ins, ongoing support for issues that arise, and proactive strategies to adapt to any changes in your organizational needs. Our goal is to ensure that your HR operations are not only compliant but also effectively support your business objectives.

Can you guarantee results from your consulting services?

While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, our approach is built on proven methodologies and industry best practices aimed at achieving measurable results. We have a strong track record of helping businesses improve their HR functions, increase employee engagement, and enhance compliance. Our focus is on developing customized solutions that lead to tangible benefits for your organization.

What qualifications do your consultants have?

Our consultants are certified HR professionals with extensive experience in the field. They bring deep industry knowledge and a strategic mindset to help businesses navigate complex HR challenges. We are committed to continuing education and staying updated on the latest HR trends and compliance requirements to provide the most informed support possible.

How long does a typical consulting engagement last?

The duration of an engagement varies depending on the specific needs of your organization. Some projects may be resolved in a few weeks, while others might extend over several months for more comprehensive solutions. During our initial discussions, we will outline a timeline that aligns with your goals and expectations.