The initiative's primary objectives are to expand the customer base and increase customer retention, which are core responsibilities of the sales department. The Director of Sales is the senior business leader most accountable for these outcomes. In a high-cost, high-priority initiative facing criticism over resources, the support of a powerful sponsor is paramount. The Director of Sales is best positioned to champion the business case, articulate the strategic value to other senior leaders, justify the expenditure, and secure the necessary budget and resources. Their sponsorship is critical to overcoming organizational resistance and ensuring the project's success.

B. Service Level Manager: This role focuses on negotiating and monitoring service levels, not on securing strategic project funding or championing the overall business case for a new system.

C. Information Security Manager: This manager's role is vital for ensuring the system is secure, but they are not the primary stakeholder responsible for obtaining the project's overall budget and resources.

D. Call Centre Manager: As a manager of a user group (and an outsourced one), their support is important for adoption, but they lack the organizational authority to secure funding for a high-cost corporate initiative.

1. ITIL® 4: Direct

Plan and Improve. AXELOS. (2020). Section 5.1.3

"Stakeholder management

" emphasizes the importance of engaging senior leaders who "may control the budget and/or resources for the improvement." The Director of Sales fits this description as the primary business sponsor.

2. ITIL® 4: Direct

Plan and Improve. AXELOS. (2020). Section 4.3.1

"Define the business case

" states that a business case is used to justify expenditure and secure funding. The stakeholder whose business area benefits most (Sales) is the natural champion to own and defend this business case.

3. ITIL® 4: Direct

Plan and Improve. AXELOS. (2020). Section 3.1

"Direction

" discusses how direction is established through strategies and policies. The Director of Sales sets the direction for customer acquisition and retention

making their support essential to align this high-cost IT initiative with business strategy.