What a Virtual Executive Assistant Actually Does?
A virtual executive assistant combines high judgment with reliable delivery. The right professional handles managing your diary, triaging email, preparing meeting briefs, arranging travel, coordinating vendors, and keeping projects on track. Many clients also rely on a remote assistant for social media management, digital marketing coordination, and light research. Every virtual assistant should be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable working across different time zones. This is business support designed to save you time so you can focus on what matters.
You will see different labels in the market. Some leaders search for a personal assistant, executive assistant, executive and personal assistant, virtual PA, or private PA. Titles vary, yet the value is consistent. A skilled virtual assistant can help you organise your week, protect your calendar, and bring order to administrative tasks that otherwise slow your growing business.
The Traditional Ways People Try to Hire
Most buyers start with three common avenues. Understanding the trade-offs will help you choose the right role and channel.
- Freelance marketplaces
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer instant access to thousands of virtual assistant candidates. This route is cost effective and flexible. The challenge is vetting, continuity, and quality control. You become the recruitment agency, the trainer, and the office manager. If an assistant takes leave or moves to a different time zone, you are left to fill the gap. - Virtual assistant agency or managed service
Established providers offer structured support services, backup coverage, and training. You pay a premium for the convenience. Some firms feel transactional, which can affect culture fit and the sense of a dedicated partner. - Direct hire in-house
Hiring a UK based or US based professional gives you full control and deep integration with your team. It also comes with salaries, benefits, and management overhead. For many small teams, this is more than the company needs right now.
If you are looking to hire with minimal friction and clear results, we recommend a guided path that blends the best parts of agency structure with boutique matching.
Why Our Approach Works
We make hiring easy and cost effective. Whether you need a part-time or full-time remote private assistant, our process is simple and fast.
Transparent pricing
Part-time assistants start from £500 per month. Full-time assistants start from £900 per month. You choose the number of hours that fit your workload, from a few days per week to a clearly defined set of hours per week or hours per month.
Effortless recruitment
Complete our quick contact form with your name, email, company name, phone number, and what you need from a virtual assistant. One of our team will call to confirm details. We then select three to four exceptional candidates from our extensive network. You review the CVs, choose who to interview, and we schedule everything.
Smooth onboarding and ongoing care
Once you pick the successful candidate, we handle payroll, agent management, and the admin behind the scenes. Your assistant is dedicated to you and integrates like a true team member. You also get a customer success manager to make sure you have the support you need. If your company needs more capacity, you can add additional VAs. If your priorities change, you can adjust the number of hours with ease.
Step-by-Step: How To Hire a Virtual Assistant with Confidence
Follow these steps to reduce risk and reach value quickly.
1. Define outcomes and tasks
List the administrative duties that drain your time. Include managing your diary, meeting prep, scheduling meetings, travel arrangements, travel booking, expense tracking, document preparation, social media management, and recurring administrative tasks. Clarify the days per week or hours per week you expect and note any hard time zone requirements.
2. Set the budget
Compare in-house and virtual options. Decide whether you need temporary or permanent coverage. Consider the number of hours you require and how that converts into hours per month. If your goal is to save time and focus on growing your business, choose the leanest option that meets your needs.
3. Choose your hiring channel
If you prefer to run a full recruitment process yourself, a marketplace can work. If you want a partner to shortlist, schedule, and manage moving parts, a partner like ours will save you time from day one. Teambuild Consultancy removes guesswork while keeping pricing accessible.
4. Create a clear brief
Describe responsibilities and the support you need. Mention preferred tools, and security requirements. Identify any specialties such as PA roles, virtual assistant service experience, or support across digital marketing. A focused brief helps us hire a highly suitable match quickly.
5. Review shortlisted CVs and interview
We send three to four profiles that match your brief. During interviews, look for calm communication, initiative, and years’ experience handling executive requests. Ask scenario questions that reveal judgment. For example, how they would organise an offsite while working across different time zones, or how they would prioritise conflicting meetings for an executive and personal assistant mandate.
6. Run a short work simulation
Give a paid test that mirrors your day. Include a calendar puzzle, an email draft, and a simple travel plan. The exercise shows how a virtual assistant can help under real conditions and confirms fit before you commit.
7. Onboard with intention
Share logins securely through a password manager, define escalation rules, and set a weekly rhythm. Decide how you want updates delivered. Provide brand tone for email drafting. Align on how to organise files. When onboarding is structured, VAs can help you quickly and save you time within the first week.
Why TeamBuild Consultancy Is Different
We are not a high-fee recruitment agency and we are more hands-on than a generic virtual assistant agency. Our approach blends rigorous virtual assistant recruitment with concierge matching. You get an extensive network of vetted talent, fast introductions, and a single point of contact who keeps everything moving. We specialise in pairing you with the right role profile, whether you want an office manager style partner or a focused executive assistant who handles sensitive projects. Our VAs can help with everything from inbox control to digital marketing coordination.
Most important of all, you stay in control. You select the successful candidate. You decide the hours per month. We handle the rest and provide the support you need for long-term success.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
If you are looking to hire now, arrange a quick consultation with our team. Share your goals and what your company needs, and within days we will send you a shortlist of exceptional candidates. You interview, choose your match, and start working with a dedicated professional who delivers the support you need.
