Executive Sponsor

Context:
- It can (typically) provide leadership and direction, ensuring that the project aligns with the company's strategic objectives.
- It can (often) act as a liaison between the project team and executive management, ensuring the necessary resources and support are available.
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- It can range from monitoring overall project performance to making critical decisions when the project encounters challenges.
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Example(s):
- One for a large IT transformation project, who ensures alignment with the company's long-term digital strategy and secures the necessary investment from the board.
- One for a marketing campaign that aligns the initiative with the company’s growth objectives and helps resolve resource allocation issues.
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Counter-Example(s):
- A Project Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project but lacks the executive-level authority to secure resources or make strategic decisions.
- A Functional Manager who oversees a department's operations but may not be involved in cross-functional project sponsorship at the executive level.
See: Project Manager, Key Decision Maker, Strategic Leader, Project Management, Corporate Officer.

References

(Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_sponsor Retrieved:2024-9-11.
- Executive sponsor (sometimes called project sponsor or senior responsible owner) is a role in project management, usually the senior member of the project board and often the chair. The project sponsor will be a senior executive in a corporation (often at or just below board level) who is responsible to the business for the success of the project.

(Parinello, 1999) ⇒ Anthony Parinello. (1999). “Selling to VITO: The Very Important Top Officer.” Adams Media.