An executive assistant who guards your time
Hand over your inbox and calendar to one dedicated person who learns how you like things done and works during your business hours.
Jobs this person takes over
- Sorting your inbox and drafting replies for you to approve
- Booking meetings and protecting focus blocks
- Planning travel with backup options ready
- Preparing briefs before calls and notes after them
- Chasing loose ends with vendors and partners
- Keeping personal errands from eating into your workday
A sample week
An example of how a week could look once your teammate is settled in. Every role is shaped around your business.
Inbox cleared and a priority list waiting for you
Next week's calendar confirmed with every attendee
Travel booked and a trip sheet shared
Follow ups sent from Tuesday's meetings
A short recap of what moved and what needs you
Tools they can work in
We recruit for the software you already use.
Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
Calendly or Microsoft Bookings
Slack or Teams
Notion, Asana or ClickUp
When this hire pays off
The tipping point is usually when your inbox and calendar take more than an hour a day. That hour is better spent on sales or the people who report to you.
An executive assistant also pays off when things slip through the cracks. Missed follow ups and double bookings cost more than the monthly rate.
The work, grouped by area
Inbox
- Sorting mail into reply, read and file
- Drafting answers for your approval
- Unsubscribing from noise
- Flagging anything urgent by text or chat
Calendar
- Booking meetings across time zones
- Holding focus blocks you never give away
- Sending agendas and dial in details
- Rescheduling when plans change
Travel and errands
- Comparing flights and hotels by your rules
- Building one page trip sheets
- Booking restaurants and gifts
- Renewing memberships and subscriptions
Follow through
- Writing meeting notes and action items
- Chasing vendors and partners for replies
- Tracking open loops in one list
- Preparing briefs before important calls
Software by name
We look for experience in the tools you already run. These are the ones owners ask about most.
Email and calendar
Gmail and Google Calendar, Outlook and Microsoft 365, Superhuman
Scheduling
Calendly, Microsoft Bookings, SavvyCal
Notes and tasks
Notion, Asana, ClickUp, Todoist
Travel and expenses
Google Flights, Expensify, Ramp
How onboarding works with delegateit
Start with a quick call
We learn where your time goes and scope the role with you, including hours and the tools you use.
We recruit and test
Candidates go through skills tests, live interviews and reference checks before you meet anyone.
You interview and choose
You meet the finalists yourself and pick the person who fits. Once you choose they can start within 24 hours.
Your client success manager runs onboarding
You get one named contact who helps set up access, first tasks and regular check ins. Your new teammate writes down your processes as they learn them.
You direct the work
You set priorities day to day. We handle payroll and HR. If the fit is wrong we recruit a replacement at no cost under our guarantee.
Your hiring checklist
Have these ready before the call and your shortlist will be sharper.
- List the five things that drain the most time each week
- Decide what access to give on day one
- Write down your scheduling rules such as meeting length and buffer time
- Pick the hours you need covered
- Name who the assistant can speak for you to and who they cannot
Questions worth asking in the interview
You interview every finalist yourself. These questions show how someone actually works.
- Walk me through how you would clear an inbox of 500 emails. Listen for a system over raw speed.
- How do you decide which meeting request gets a yes? Good answers ask about your priorities first.
- Tell me about a time a trip went wrong. You want calm problem solving and a backup plan.
- What do you need from me in week one? Strong candidates ask for access, rules and examples.
- How do you report what you did each day? Look for a short written end of day note.
What it costs per hour
A full time executive assistant starts at $1,500 a month for about 160 hours, which is roughly $9.38 an hour. Part time starts at $900 a month for about 80 hours. Benefits and payroll on our side are included in that rate and plans run month to month with 30 days notice.
See how that stacks up against published prices from other providers and US employer cost data in our virtual assistant cost guide, or compare with a local hire in delegateit or a local hire.
Your first 30 days
A simple rhythm that works for most owners. Your client success manager helps you adjust it.
Week one
Give access to your main tools and hand over three or four tasks you do every week. Record a short screen video of how you do each one. Your teammate turns those into written steps you can check.
Week two
Add the next layer of work. Read the end of day notes and correct anything that is off while habits are still forming. Small fixes now save hours later.
Week three
Move from checking everything to checking samples. Agree the numbers you will look at each week so feedback stays tied to results.
Week four
Sit down with your teammate and your client success manager. Talk about what is working and what to hand over next. Most owners find a few more tasks they forgot they were doing.
What to measure
Pick two or three numbers and review them every week with your teammate. These are good places to start.
- Hours you get back each week
- Response time on important email
- Meetings booked without back and forth
Keep the list short. If a number stops being useful, swap it for one that is.
Roles that pair well
As the work grows, owners often add one of these next.
- Admin Assistant. Data entry and documents kept tidy every day.
- Reception and Scheduling. Calls returned and appointments filled.
- Project Coordinator. Boards current and deadlines chased for you.
Browse every role we staff or read our cost and comparison guides.
What it costs
This role is usually on the Assistant plan. Your final rate is confirmed in writing before anyone starts.
Assistant
from $1,500/mo
Full time for about 160 hours a month. Part time from $900/mo for about 80 hours.
Team
Several seats with a team lead. Quoted after a call.
Our satisfaction guarantee† see guarantee note
We want you fully happy with the person working for you. If your offshore hire isn't the right fit, tell your client success manager and we will replace them and recruit someone new for you, and we keep going until you are happy with your team.
Book a free callQuestions owners ask
Can an executive assistant work my time zone?
Yes. Your assistant works the hours you set, so they are online when you are.
Will they have access to my email?
Only the access you choose to give. Many owners start with delegated access and widen it once trust is built.
Full time or part time?
Part time covers about 80 hours a month and suits a lighter inbox. Full time covers about 160 hours and suits owners with a packed calendar.
Can my executive assistant handle personal tasks too?
Yes, if you want them to. Many owners include family scheduling and errands.
How do I give inbox access safely?
Use delegated access in Gmail or Outlook so you never share your password.
What happens if the person is not a good fit?
Tell your client success manager. We recruit and place a replacement at no cost and keep going until you are happy, for as long as your account is active.
Is there a long contract?
No. Plans are month to month and you can cancel with 30 days notice.
How is my data protected?
Everyone we place signs an NDA and only gets access to what the job needs. You control every login.
Further reading
* Start times count from when you choose your hire after interviewing them. Timing is confirmed case by case for each applicant.
† Our satisfaction guarantee is a promise to replace and recruit staff until you are happy. It is a replacement promise and does not include refunds of fees for time already worked. Read the full guarantee terms.