Project Sponsor Vs Executive Sponsor

It does not look like the PMBOK makes a distinction or even recognizes these two separate terms, so I will speak from my experience:

Project Sponsor: The Business Owner that is most closely driving the business objectives of the project. Works through the administrative aspects of being funding approved for the project through business case analysis, financial processes etc. Also referred to as the Project Owner or Project Initiator. Involved day to day, week to week.

Executive Sponsor: The Executive (usually C-level) head of the Business Unit driving the project. Typically the direct supervisor or levels above in the Project Sponsor’s line management. Considered the ‘funder’ of the project. Involved bi-weekly or monthly, at Steering Committee meetings or very major issues/decisions

There is some more information here... http://www2.cit.cornell.edu/computer/roboh...nsibilities.htm

The Executive Sponsor is a manager with demonstrable interest in the outcome of the project who is ultimately responsible for securing spending authority and resources for the project. Ideally, the Executive Sponsor should be the highest-ranking manager possible, in proportion to the project size and scope. The Executive Sponsor acts as a vocal and visible champion, legitimizes the project’s goals and objectives, keeps abreast of major project activities, and is the ultimate decision-maker for the project. The Executive Sponsor provides support for the Project Sponsor and/or Project Director and Project Manager and has final approval of all scope changes, and signs off on approvals to proceed to each succeeding project phase. The Executive Sponsor may elect to delegate some of the above responsibilities to the Project Sponsor and/or Project Director.

The Project Sponsor and/or Project Director is a manager with demonstrable interest in the outcome of the project who is responsible for securing spending authority and resources for the project. The Project Sponsor acts as a vocal and visible champion, legitimizes the project’s goals and objectives, keeps abreast of major project activities, and is a decision-maker for the project. The Project Sponsor will participate in and/or lead project initiation; the development of the Project Charter. He or she will participate in project planning (high level) and the development of the Project Initiation Plan. The Project Sponsor provides support for the Project Manager; assists with major issues, problems, and policy conflicts; removes obstacles; is active in planning the scope; approves scope changes; signs off on major deliverables; and signs off on approvals to proceed to each succeeding project phase. The Project Sponsor generally chairs the steering committee on large projects. The Project Sponsor may elect to delegate any of the above responsibilities to other personnel either on or outside the Project Team

In some of our cases, project sponsors are usually not active till the end. Their representatives would ensure project is moving in the redirection. If you would like to differentiate the sponsors and his representatives, then I guess, the executive sponsors are the guys who are actively involved in getting things done.

In my experience, the Executive sponsor delegates to a Project Sponsor. As a PM for my previous company I have experienced both, been in communication with both. And sometimes the Executive sponsor has overruled the Project sponsor and cited with my recommendation on the project.