In the ever-evolving landscape of modern workplaces, a new trend is emerging that’s reshaping how organizations approach leadership and technology integration. According to recent research by Eptura, a global worktech leader, 34% of businesses are planning to increase office attendance in 2025. This shift is giving rise to a new C-suite position: the Digital Workplace Leader.
The Digital Workplace Leader: A New Breed of Executive
As companies navigate the complexities of hybrid work environments, they’re turning to specialized leaders to manage their digital workplace needs. The 2025 Workplace Index reveals that three-quarters of organizations have either hired or are in the process of hiring a digital workplace leader over the last 18 months.
This new role is tasked with:
• Optimizing the balance between in-office and remote work • Leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance workplace efficiency • Ensuring a seamless employee experience across all work environments
Challenges in the Digital Workplace
The rise of this new leadership position comes as organizations face several key challenges:
• Tech Overload: Two-thirds of companies are using anywhere from 6 to 40 different solutions to manage workplace operations, leading to disconnected systems and decision-making bottlenecks.
• AI Integration: Over half of organizations report insufficient skill sets and cross-platform integration as the top obstacles to deploying AI effectively.
• Rising Office Attendance: With more employees returning to the office, there’s increased pressure to balance workplace experience with optimizing space utilization.
The Path Forward: AI-Driven Experiences and Integrated Solutions
To address these challenges, digital workplace leaders are focusing on:
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Implementing AI for Enhanced Experiences: 77% of businesses plan to use AI to improve employee experiences in the next 12 months.
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Consolidating Operational Data: Organizations are seeking to level occupancy across the work week, optimize real estate portfolios, and increase asset lifecycles through unified data analysis.
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Integrating Technologies: By moving from separate solutions to fewer vendors and integrated platforms, companies aim to maximize value from their tech investments.
The Human Touch in a Digital World
While AI and technology play a crucial role, the most successful digital workplace leaders understand the importance of balancing automation with human-centric approaches. They recognize that technology should enhance, not replace, human connections and creativity in the workplace.
As Brandon Holden, CEO of Eptura, notes, ‘Despite the abundance of workplace technology, many organizations are struggling to harness its full potential due to disconnected systems. Instead of driving efficiency, fragmented tech stacks create decision-making bottlenecks, making it harder to streamline workflows, analyze data effectively, and adapt to evolving business needs.’
The rise of the digital workplace leader marks a significant shift in how organizations approach leadership in the age of AI and hybrid work. By combining technological expertise with a deep understanding of human needs, these new leaders are poised to shape the future of work, ensuring that businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital world while maintaining the human touch that drives innovation and engagement.
As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that the most successful organizations will be those that can effectively balance the power of AI with the irreplaceable value of human insight and creativity. The digital workplace leader stands at the forefront of this transformation, guiding companies towards a more connected, efficient, and employee-centric future.
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