Why Executive Sponsorship Fuels Projects

In any organization, projects play a key role when it comes to innovation and growth. But even with a skilled project team in place, projects require the backing of leadership to navigate complexities and maintain momentum.

Who Are Executive Sponsors?

Executive sponsors are senior leaders within an organization who are responsible for championing a project and ensuring its completion. Acting as a bridge between the project team and c-level executives, executive sponsors provide the necessary leadership, influence, and support to the project team and stakeholders, ensuring that projects are aligned with strategic goals and that the project team receives the necessary support and resources.

Why Are Executive Sponsors Important?

Executive sponsors are important because they advocate for the project, ensure that decision makers and key stakeholders are aware of the importance of the project, and support the team as needed—particularly in removing roadblocks and helping in decision making. 

“The success of the project reflects [executive sponsors] directly. It’s crucial that executive sponsors approach the relationship with the project manager as a true partnership,” explains Angelo Salazar, PMP, government affairs director at PMI-LA and senior analyst at the Chief Executive Office, LA County.

What are executive sponsor’s roles and responsibilities?

The executive sponsor should clarify the objectives and direction for projects, ensure they have given priority and visibility within the executive team, highlight any red flags raised by the teams, and provide them with any executive support needed to make the project successful. They must also understand the implications of decisions made regarding the project and how they may impact other parts of the business or other existing projects.

To support the team throughout the project lifecycle the executive sponsors should:

• Provide guidance, clarification, and coaching.
• Raise project awareness and its importance.
• Redirect the team when direction is not aligned with strategy.

Additionally, they leverage their credibility and networking skills and offer leadership.

How to Build Effective Partnerships with Executive Sponsors

As a project leader, maintaining a strong relationship with executive sponsors is essential. Executive sponsors provide critical support that can determine whether a project thrives or struggles. As a project leader, cultivating a strong relationship with executive sponsors is crucial to project success. 

“The executive sponsor is another stakeholder—you need to manage their expectations and understand their power and influence on projects,” explains Magda Scrobota, PMP. “So as long as you manage those and create a positive relationship based on trust, everything should be okay.”

And by understanding their influence and managing their expectations effectively, you can turn executive sponsors into powerful allies who drive the project forward.

“I always make it a priority to align the executive sponsors' goals with the project objectives,” explains Jane Khoreva, PMP, project manager. “I ensure that our scope meets their expectations and that there are no conflicts with the goals. I also focus on integrating this stakeholder naturally into the project from the start, rather than addressing their needs as an afterthought.”

Building a strong relationship with executive sponsors is not just beneficial—it’s essential. The partnership between executive sponsors and project leaders not only enables projects to move forward but ensures they drive lasting impact.

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