DAVID A. SEVITT
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Proven GTM executive with 20+ years of experience driving transformational growth for leading SaaS companies. Deep expertise in sales and partnerships, underpinned by a consulting background that sharpens my ability to craft strategies that deliver superior results.
A builder and operator, I’ve led global teams at world class companies. I excel in cross-functional leadership roles, solving complex challenges and unlocking new revenue streams and market expansion opportunities.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Partnerships & Ecosystem
Procurify
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Created the top performing channel by developing and executing a novel strategy focused on dominating a micro-vertical within Education
- Identified and launched a strategic partnership into an adjacent market to 10x distribution
- Member of the Executive Team
Chief Revenue Officer
Giftagram
10.2022 - 01.2024
- Responsible for all aspects of GTM strategy, managing the Sales, Partnership & Customer Success teams
- Built and launched Giftagram’s Enterprise Sales and SDR teams, driving a ~30% increase in subscription-based revenue
- Developed the company’s first channel and technology partnership strategy
- Developed GTM playbooks, including the customer onboarding journey and renewal process
- Launched a new pricing model to shift the revenue mix towards subscription revenue
- Helped develop and launch a freemium product to enable product-led growth
Head of Global Business Development
Shopify
01.2022 - 10.2022
- Created a new growth engine by building Shopify’s first global BD team focused on bulk acquisition of SMBs via technology, banking and government partnerships across NA and Europe
- Successfully acquired 10,000+ new merchants, driving millions of incremental LCV at lower CAC than traditional demand gen channels
- Led a team of nearly 60, and together built a channel program that acquired merchants at a higher rate than any previous SMB-focused BD program
- Reinvented a partner program that won the NBA Partnership of the Year award
- Asked to present to the entire Global Marketing team on my unique approach to team building
Head of Business Development - Canada
Shopify
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Built Shopify’s first Canadian BD team focused on public and commercial partnerships
- Delivered ~70% YoY growth on partner-sourced SMB acquisition, generating ~$1.6M in incremental revenue in H2 ‘21
- Developed the highest LTV:CAC BD program across Shopify during tenure
VP Business Development and Growth
Top Hat
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Led Top Hat’s BD, Growth and BDR teams, overseeing a total of 15 people
- Secured the first reseller partnerships that transformed the company’s GTM model, and shut down underperforming Growth programs to increase focus & efficiency
- Led deal origination for Top Hat’s corporate development team that yielded a third publisher acquisition
Head of Revenue - Top Hat Ventures
Top Hat
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Pivoted the business towards product-led growth by launching Top Hat’s first innovation business unit focused on building a new viral community product
- Built the strategy and revenue model for a tutoring business anchored to the student community
- Supported the integration of the community into core TH product and launch of a new freemium model
VP Business Development
Top Hat
05.2018 - 12.2019
- Played a foundational role in doubling ARR in two years (~$25-$50M) by building the company’s first business development function that drove both organic and especially inorganic growth
- Built and executed a channel strategy to secure the company’s first academic publisher partnerships
- This involved defining the company’s partnership strategy and GTM processes
- Led the front-end corporate development process that resulted in two publisher acquisitions
Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Sales
Vision Critical
01.2017 - 04.2018
- Selected by the CEO to build and lead Vision Critical’s first Strategic Account enterprise sales team
- Led a team of 12 and exceeded team quota of $6M in first year
- Grew ARR across existing accounts in portfolio by over 25% through a land & expand strategy
Vice President, Enterprise Sales
Vision Critical
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Player/coach sales manager, helping team navigate complex enterprise sales cycles and grow avg deal size
- Top performing global sales leader in 2016, achieving 161% of annual quota (~$3MM) & closed largest deal in company history – nearly 100% larger than previous record
- Record setting new logo acquisition, with brands including Coca-Cola, Target, General Mills & Keurig
- Increased avg deal size by developing a go-to-market strategy for a new innovation product
Vice President, Retail Practice
Vision Critical
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Managed a team of 5 consultants, exceeding net revenue targets each year ($2M in last year)
- Systematically grew revenue across my client base through delivering services that drove business growth
- Strategic advisor to senior decision makers at leading NA retailers on a wide range of business and marketing issues, including brand strategy and product development
Director
Northstar Research Partners
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Led client relationships throughout project lifecycles, for which project scoping, project design, proposal writing and client presentations & business recommendations were key components
- Mentored junior staff in developing and executing projects for a broad range of F500 clients
- Specialized in the CPG, Media, Retail and Finance Services sectors
Education
Master of Journalism -
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario01.2003
Bachelor of Commerce -
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec01.2000
Skills
- GTM Strategy & Execution
- Sales Leadership
- Partnerships & Ecosystem Building
- People Leadership
- SMB & Enterprise Sales Execution
- M&A Strategy
- Cross-functional GTM Initiatives
Accomplishments
- Scaled ARR from $2M to $75M at Vision Critical over 10 years.
- Doubled ARR from $25M to $50M at Top Hat by building the first BD & channel strategy.
- Acquired 10,000+ SMBs at Shopify by launching a global bulk acquisition program.
- Led high-trust teams of up to 60 .
Personal Tidbits
- Jazz piano player & promoter
- Avid reader
Timeline
Vice President, Partnerships & Ecosystem
Procurify
01.2024 - 01.2025
Chief Revenue Officer
Giftagram
10.2022 - 01.2024
Head of Global Business Development
Shopify
01.2022 - 10.2022
Head of Business Development - Canada
Shopify
05.2021 - 12.2021
VP Business Development and Growth
Top Hat
11.2020 - 05.2021
Head of Revenue - Top Hat Ventures
Top Hat
01.2020 - 10.2020
VP Business Development
Top Hat
05.2018 - 12.2019
Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Sales
Vision Critical
01.2017 - 04.2018
Vice President, Enterprise Sales
Vision Critical
01.2013 - 01.2016
Vice President, Retail Practice
Vision Critical
01.2008 - 01.2012
Director
Northstar Research Partners
01.2003 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Commerce -
McGill University
Master of Journalism -
Carleton University
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