The Case for Executive Delivery Sponsors
- Diana Andrea Fajardo
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Great project managers can steer the ship—but without an empowered executive sponsor, they may be sailing into headwinds alone. Sponsorship is often the missing link between strategy and execution. This post makes the case for why executive sponsorship isn’t optional—it’s critical.
The Sponsor Gap
Executive sponsors are supposed to:
Champion the project at the leadership level
Secure funding and resources
Make timely decisions and remove roadblocks
Align the initiative to strategic goals
Serve as the face of the project to other executives
But in reality, many sponsors are:
Assigned in name only
Unavailable during key milestones
Unsure of their role
Unengaged or disconnected from delivery
40%
greater likelihood of meeting goals, finishing on time, and staying within budget for projects with active executive sponsors (PMI).
What Happens Without a Sponsor
Without active sponsorship, projects suffer:
Delayed decisions as escalations go unanswered
Funding gaps and shifting priorities
Low visibility, making it harder to engage teams and stakeholders
Disempowered PMs left to fight uphill battles alone
In short: execution slows, risks rise, and value erodes.
What Good Sponsorship Looks Like
Ineffective Sponsor | Effective Executive Sponsor |
Assigned after project approval | Involved in scoping and business case design |
Occasionally checks in | Provides active support and guidance |
Avoids difficult decisions | Makes timely trade-offs based on value and risk |
Detached from the team | Engages regularly with PMs and key stakeholders |
Protects personal brand | Advocates visibly and holds others accountable |
The Role of the PMO in Sponsor Success
PMOs don’t just support delivery teams—they must also enable sponsors.
Elaia helps enterprises build sponsorship structures that deliver:
Sponsor Onboarding & Training
We equip leaders with clarity on their role and responsibilities. Read More
Governance Integration
Sponsors are embedded into cadence and escalation models with defined authority. Read More
Performance Support
We create briefing templates, dashboards, and talking points to keep sponsors effective and informed. Read More
Accountability Frameworks
We track sponsor engagement and ensure sponsors model commitment. Read More
Culture Shifts
We help normalize the expectation that executives show up for delivery—not just strategy. Read More
Case Study: Sponsor Reinvention
A financial services organization had 20+ major initiatives—but most had passive sponsors. Projects stalled. PMs struggled with stakeholder alignment.
Elaia will introduce:
A sponsor enablement program for all SVPs
Defined sponsor KPIs and engagement expectations
Monthly sponsor forums with portfolio-level discussions
Sponsor briefings prepared by the PMO to drive decision-making
Results:
Time-to-decision dropped by 60%
Sponsor satisfaction with PMO support rose by 78%
Project delivery success rate improved by 36%
Why Elaia
We understand that sponsorship isn’t just about assigning a name to a Gantt chart. It’s about activating enterprise leadership in delivery.
✔ Practical tools and support for busy executives
✔ PMO integration strategies that keep sponsors engaged
✔ Proven playbooks to elevate sponsorship maturity
✔ Embedded coaching that aligns leaders with results
With Elaia, sponsors become strategic assets—not bottlenecks.
Why Elaia
Elaia isn’t a staffing agency or a tool vendor. We are your delivery partner.
We offer:
Experienced PMO leaders who embed quickly
Tailored governance, not cookie-cutter frameworks
A hands-on, outcome-first approach
The ability to build, scale, or stabilize your PMO—then transition it to internal ownership
Who’s championing your projects?
Elaia helps transform executive sponsorship from passive to powerful—so every initiative gets the leadership it deserves.
Because projects without sponsors aren’t just under-supported—they’re underperforming.
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