Why Every C-Suite Needs a Head of Delivery
- Diana Andrea Fajardo
- Jul 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Enterprise strategy is only as powerful as its execution. Yet many leadership teams lack a single, accountable voice for delivery at the top table. This post makes the case for elevating delivery leadership to the C-suite—because without it, execution is fragmented, slow, and often off course.
The Execution Accountability Gap
Most C-suites are built around functions: finance, operations, marketing, HR, IT. But who owns delivery?
Strategy lives with the CEO or Chief Strategy Officer
Execution is scattered across PMOs, business units, and departments
No one executive is clearly responsible for ensuring strategic initiatives are delivered on time, on budget, and with impact
60%
of strategic initiatives fail to deliver expected results, largely due to unclear delivery ownership, reported by Gartner
The Case for a Head of Delivery (HOD)
A Head of Delivery (also known as a Chief Delivery Officer or VP of Strategic Execution) provides:
Role | Cost |
Enterprise Alignment | Connects delivery efforts across departments to strategic priorities |
Portfolio Oversight | Manages trade-offs across projects and programs |
Governance Leadership | Ensures decision-making structures are effective and timely |
Execution Cadence | Establishes rhythms for tracking progress and resolving blockers |
PMO Enablement | Guides the evolution of the project management function |
This role acts as the execution conscience of the enterprise.
Benefits of Elevating Delivery Leadership
Clarity: | One executive accountable for cross-functional delivery outcomes. |
Speed: | Better decision-making and faster escalations. |
Focus: | Strategic priorities are protected from scope creep and distraction. |
Efficiency: | Resources are allocated based on value, not politics. |
Results: | Improved on-time delivery and value realization. |
When the HOD Role Makes Sense
Your organization runs dozens of strategic initiatives across functions
Strategy and execution are disconnected
PMO lacks voice or authority at senior levels
Executive team often gets blindsided by delivery issues
Decision-making is slow due to fragmentation
Elaia’s Role in Establishing the HOD Function
Elaia partners with enterprise clients to define, launch, and support senior delivery leadership roles.
We help with:
Role Design & Charter
We define what your HOD is accountable for, how they interact with peers, and where they sit in governance. Read More
Executive Coaching
We prepare HODs to lead across functions with authority, insight, and influence. Read More
PMO Alignment
We ensure the PMO becomes a strategic partner to the HOD, not just an administrative function. Read More
Portfolio Visibility Tools
We build dashboards and reporting models that give the HOD real-time insight into delivery health. Read More
Leadership Enablement
We help the rest of the C-suite understand and support the HOD role. Read More
Case Study: Enterprise-Wide Delivery Transformation
A multinational engineering firm struggled with siloed execution. Strategy changed quickly, but delivery couldn’t keep up. The PMO lacked influence. Projects overlapped or conflicted.
Next steps: the CEO in creating a new Head of Delivery position.
Role charter co-created with executive team
Quarterly strategy-to-execution planning cycles launched
Unified portfolio management process installed
PMO upskilled to support enterprise delivery priorities
Results:
46% increase in initiative throughput
2x improvement in executive satisfaction with delivery
HOD became a core member of strategic planning
Why Elaia
We understand delivery—and we understand executive dynamics. Elaia knows how to elevate delivery from the project room to the boardroom.
✔ Strategy-to-execution integration
✔ Executive coaching for delivery leadership
✔ PMO transformation for scalability and agility
✔ Practical, proven playbooks to launch the HOD role
Still treating delivery like a mid-tier function?
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