Weekly Networking: Executive Positioning, Communicate Value Beyond Delivery DPMC

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.