A personal assistant supports an individual directly - managing their personal and professional schedule, handling errands, coordinating household or lifestyle logistics, and making daily life run smoothly.
A great Personal Assistant does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Managing complex calendars, time zones, and prioritization.
02Handle personal errands, research, and coordination tasks
03Book travel, reservations, visas, and personal logistics
04Manage personal correspondence and follow-ups
05Support household or lifestyle management as needed
How this hire moves your business forward: A personal assistant gives a high-performing individual their time back. Time is the scarcest resource for any executive or founder - and every hour a personal assistant reclaims is an hour available for the work only they can do.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Personal Assistants.
LatAm personal assistants are discreet, proactive, and accustomed to supporting principals with high-demand personal and professional lives. Strong English and organizational skills are standard.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Personal Assistant Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$45,000
$18,000
$27,000 / yr
Mid level
$60,000
$24,000
$36,000 / yr
Senior
$78,000
$33,600
$44,400 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Anticipates needs before being asked / Handling last-minute changes (travel issues, scheduling conflicts).
Handles sensitive personal information with complete discretion
Reliable and consistent - never drops the ball on time-sensitive tasks
Warm but professional communication style
Red Flags
Needs constant direction rather than operating independently
Boundary issues with personal/professional information
Unreliable follow-through on time-sensitive personal tasks
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Personal Assistant search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
Common Questions About Hiring a Personal Assistant.
1-2 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. High business English required (stakeholder-facing).
A LatAm personal assistant delivers the same support capability as a US-based hire at significantly lower cost. Discretion, professionalism, and strong English are standard.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
A PA works specifically for one individual, often managing both personal and professional tasks. A VA is more broadly focused on business tasks. A PA relationship involves more trust and a closer working dynamic.
Share what they need to do their job effectively. The best PAs are trusted with significant personal context because it makes them more effective. Start with low-stakes tasks and expand trust over time.
Ready to Hire a Personal Assistant Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.