Titans of Tech - James Saxton of Dayforce

In the bustling world of human capital management, few names resonate as profoundly as James Saxton, the Vice President of Product for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region at Dayforce.

Based in the picturesque city of Perth, Australia, Saxton has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and innovation since assuming his role over two years ago.

A Journey Rooted in Passion and Responsibility

Saxton's journey with Dayforce began through an acquisition, a strategic move that not only expanded the company's footprint but also brought in leaders capable of steering it towards new horizons.

"There was a need for a regional product head," Saxton recalls during a recent interview. "I was asked to do the role, took a moment to think about it, and then jumped in with both feet." His enthusiasm for the role is palpable. "It's a great job, to be fair. It's very varied and comes with a lot of responsibilities."

His day-to-day responsibilities are as diverse as they are demanding.

Saxton collaborates with everyone from the executive team to product engineers, ensuring that Dayforce's offerings are not only globally consistent but also locally relevant. "We cover the whole Asia Pacific region, including all of the little islands in the Pacific," he explains. "My remit includes all of our products across these areas."

Dayforce: Making Work Life Better

At the heart of Saxton's mission is Dayforce's core objective: to "make work life better."

As a global leader in HCM systems and technologies, Dayforce offers a unified platform that addresses HR needs, payroll, talent management, workforce management, and analytics—all within a single system.

"We're one of the only platforms on the planet that does it that way," Saxton notes with pride.

Under his leadership, the APJ region has seen significant advancements, particularly in the realm of compliance. "We're known as being the number one for compliance," he states. "We tackle the difficult first, and it's something our competitors don't tend to do like we do." This focus on compliance is critical in a region as diverse and complex as APJ, where local regulations can vary dramatically from one country to another.

Embracing AI with Responsibility

"One of the most significant initiatives Saxton is working on is the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into Dayforce's platform."

"AI is on everybody's minds at the moment," he acknowledges. However, Saxton is quick to emphasise a cautious approach. "We take a very reasonable approach. We see AI not replacing but actually augmenting or helping employees—the smart people in the room that do the job of HR and payroll."

This philosophy manifests in features designed to bring data directly to employees, automate mundane tasks, and even anticipate the needs of users. "We believe you shouldn't have to find data; data should find you," Saxton asserts. Innovations like workforce insights and autonomous payroll are not just buzzwords but practical tools that simplify complexities and create efficiencies for businesses across the region.

Customer-Centric to the Core

Saxton's approach to leadership is deeply customer-centric. He believes in engaging with clients at all levels to understand their needs genuinely.

"We're constantly interviewing customers and talking to customers," he says.

He recounts working with a New Zealand-based conglomerate struggling with staff scheduling. By spending time on-site and listening to their challenges, Saxton's team made adjustments that "transformed what their business did that year."

Such stories underscore his commitment to making a tangible difference. "When customers say they love Dayforce and then discuss issues, that's what really makes you smile," he reflects. "We only improve by listening to our customers and putting the customer at the centre of what we do."

Driving Growth and Looking Ahead

Under Saxton's stewardship, the APJ region has become a critical growth avenue for Dayforce. "When I joined, we were a $1.2 billion organisation. Today, we're a $1.7 billion organisation," he notes. The company is on track to reach $2 billion by the end of next year.

As for the future, Saxton is both optimistic and realistic.

"The world of work is changing. It's more complex than ever before with the post-COVID era and the advent of AI," he observes. Yet, he is confident in Dayforce's ability to lead the way.

"We want to be at the front of the kind of innovations around what the future workforce looks like. That's what we're here for—we're here to make that better."

What makes James Saxton a Titan of Tech?

What truly sets Saxton apart is his unwavering passion—for his work, his team, and the mission they collectively strive to achieve.

"I love passionate people, and I've got a team full of them," he admits. "Even when it's not fun, it's fun."

His leadership style fosters an environment where challenging the status quo is encouraged, feeding a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

In an industry that thrives on innovation and adaptability, James Saxton embodies the qualities of a forward-thinking leader.

His commitment to making work life better is not just a company slogan but "a personal mission" that resonates throughout the APJ region and beyond.