Denver Project Management Collaborative

The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts this weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

January focus: Career & Capability
This Week’s Focus: Navigating an Effective Job Search as a Project Manager

Description
Job searching as an experienced project, program, or portfolio manager is fundamentally different than earlier in your career. Fewer roles. Higher expectations. Less tolerance for generic positioning.

This session is designed for experienced PMs who want to approach the job market strategically, intentionally, and with clarity.
We’ll explore:

• How senior PM roles are actually evaluated today
• Common mistakes experienced PMs make during job searches
• Positioning yourself as a business leader—not just a delivery expert
• Translating complex experience into clear, compelling narratives
• Managing longer search cycles, layoffs, and confidence dips professionally

This is not a sales pitch and not résumé-writing 101. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on applicability, judgment, and professional growth.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you’re actively job searching, securely employed, or simply staying sharp—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why this matters now

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question: What has been the most challenging part of your job search—or what concerns you most about starting one?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:

• How are senior PM roles being scoped and screened today?
• What experience is hardest to articulate at the senior level?
• IC vs. people leader roles: how do you decide which to pursue?
• What signals credibility and leadership beyond certifications?
• What has (or hasn’t) worked in recent interviews or searches?

Groups will rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: IC vs. People Leader: Choosing the Right Path
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative, with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.

Overview
The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts this weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

January focus: Career and Capability
This Week’s Focus: Individual Contributor vs. People Leader — Choosing the Right Path

Description
As project managers advance in their careers, many reach a critical inflection point: continue growing as a senior individual contributor, or move into people leadership.

This decision is rarely straightforward—and too often it’s driven by title inflation, external pressure, or incomplete information.

This session is designed for experienced PMs who want to think clearly about:

• The real differences between senior IC and people leader roles
• How success is measured in each path
• The tradeoffs in scope, influence, stress, and fulfillment
• Common missteps when transitioning between the two
• How to align career direction with strengths, values, and market demand

This is not a career ladder pitch and not a leadership hype session. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on judgment, self-awareness, and long-term career sustainability.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you’re actively job searching, reassessing your path, or supporting others in their growth—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why this decision matters now

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question: When you think about your next role, do you currently lean more toward IC or people leadership—and why?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:

• How do senior IC and people leader roles differ in practice—not on paper?
• What capabilities are required to succeed long-term in each path?
• What warning signs suggest someone moved into leadership too early—or too late?
• How does organizational maturity affect the IC vs. leader experience?
• How do you reposition yourself if you want to switch paths?

(Groups rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.)

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: PMO Maturity — What Actually Works
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative, with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.

Overview
The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts a weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

January focus: Career & Capability
This Week’s Focus: Executive Positioning for PMs — Communicating Value Beyond Delivery

Description
As PMs advance in their careers, technical delivery excellence becomes table stakes. What differentiates senior PMs is not what they deliver—but how they communicate value, risk, and decision-making to leaders.

This session is designed for experienced PMs who want to strengthen their executive presence and better articulate their impact beyond schedules, budgets, and task completion.

We’ll explore:

• Why “on time and on budget” no longer differentiates senior PMs
• Translating delivery work into business outcomes and risk management
• Framing decisions, tradeoffs, and influence—not just execution
• Common communication mistakes PMs make with executives
• How executive positioning shows up in interviews, resumes, and stakeholder conversations

This is not a presentation skills workshop and not leadership theory. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on practical communication, judgment, and credibility at the senior level.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you’re actively job searching, preparing for leadership roles, or working with senior stakeholders today—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why executive positioning matters now

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question: When working with executives, what do you find hardest to communicate clearly or confidently?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:

• How do executives define “value” differently than PMs?
• What delivery details matter—and what should be abstracted away?
• How do you frame risks, tradeoffs, and decisions without overloading stakeholders?
• What signals credibility and strategic thinking in executive conversations?
• How should executive positioning differ in interviews vs. in-role communication?

(Groups rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.)

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: PMO Maturity — What Actually Works
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative, with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.

Overview
The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts this weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, portfolio, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

February focus: Delivery Excellence
This Week’s Focus: PMO Maturity — What Actually Works

Description
PMO maturity models are everywhere—but many organizations struggle to translate them into real improvement, real adoption, and real business value.

This session is designed for experienced PMs and PMO leaders who want to move past theory and talk candidly about what actually works when building, evolving, or operating a PMO.

We’ll explore:

• What PMO “maturity” really means in practice—not on slides
• The difference between process compliance and delivery effectiveness
• Which PMO capabilities tend to create value first—and which often fail
• Common PMO mistakes that slow teams down or erode trust
• How organizational context and culture shape what success looks like

This is not a maturity model walkthrough and not a framework comparison. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on practical outcomes, judgment calls, and lessons learned from the field.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you work inside a PMO, lead one, or partner closely with one—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why PMO maturity still matters—and where it breaks down

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question:
When you hear “PMO maturity,” what has worked well in your experience—and what has felt like overhead?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:

• What PMO capabilities deliver the most value early on?
• Where do PMOs most commonly overreach or over-engineer?
• How do you balance governance with speed and flexibility?
• What signals trust and credibility between PMOs and delivery teams?
• How should PMO maturity differ by organization size and complexity?

(Groups rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.)

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: Stakeholder Management When Everything Is “High Priority”
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative, with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.