An executive champion is a C-level executive who actively and vocally supports a particular initiative, project, or program. They use their influence, authority, and budget to advocate for, drive adoption of, and remove obstacles to the initiative. The executive champion is ultimately accountable for the success or failure of the initiative.
The Core Tenets of an Executive Champion
- Actively advocates for the initiative through direct, vocal support.
- Leverages authority to allocate resources, manage stakeholders, and remove roadblocks.
- Remains accountable for the outcomes and impact of the initiative.
- Maintains a high degree of visibility into and understanding of the initiative’s progress.
- Aligns the initiative with strategic business goals and justifies its importance.
Why an Executive Champion is Important to Business Consultants
Having an engaged executive champion is critical to driving major change initiatives in client organizations. As an external consultant, you rely on the executive champion to provide cover, coordinate key stakeholders, and sustain momentum internally. Without vocal, visible support from a senior leader who is willing to put their weight behind the initiative, it is unlikely to gain traction across the organization.
As a consultant, you need the executive champion to clear roadblocks, reinforce messaging, and signal that this effort is a strategic priority with their full backing. This lends your program credibility and gives you an advocate at the highest levels of the company.
The executive champion’s active oversight also ensures your recommendations will have support during implementation. Involving the executive champion early on to co-create solutions deeply rooted in business goals is key.
Example of an Executive Champion in Use
- When implementing a new CRM system at a financial services firm, the CIO served as executive champion. She allocated a sizable budget, met regularly with the consulting team for updates, and presented to the board on the project’s importance for customer experience.
- At a healthcare provider rolling out telemedicine services, the Chief Medical Officer was the executive champion. He coordinated with clinical leaders across regions and spoke at national conferences to promote adoption of virtual visits.
- A grocery retailer launching a new analytics platform had the Chief Strategy Officer as champion. She approved headcount for the analytics team and hosted quarterly reviews to track ROI and optimize use of the platform.
Executive Champion Synonyms
- Project sponsor: The project sponsor works closely with the project manager and provides high-level oversight and advocacy.
- Initiative owner: The initiative owner has ultimate accountability for the results of a strategic initiative.
- Senior stakeholder: A senior stakeholder is an executive who has a vested interest in the success of a project or program.
- Executive advocate: An executive advocate actively promotes and defends an initiative at the leadership level.
- C-suite backer: A C-suite backer leverages their influence across the organization to support an effort.
Executive Champion Antonyms
- Opponent: An opponent is someone who works against an initiative and presents arguments against it.
- Resistor: A resistor impedes progress on an initiative by not fully cooperating or enforcing roadblocks.
- Detractor: A detractor vocally undermines support for an initiative.
- Adversary: An adversary takes an adversarial stance against an initiative, actively working against it.
- Skeptic: A skeptic has significant doubts about the merits of an initiative.
Other Closely-Related Terms
- Change agent: A change agent actively drives organizational change, often partnering with consultants.
- Transformation leader: The transformation leader heads up major business transformation programs.
- Program manager: The program manager handles day-to-day management of a strategic initiative.
- Initiative coordinator: An initiative coordinator organizes activities supporting a new initiative.
- Business partner: A business partner from the client organization is embedded in the consulting engagement team.
