The Best Recruitment Agencies for Executive Assistants (2026 Guide)
- Specialized executive assistant recruiters deliver better long-term hires than general staffing agencies.
- Pre-vetted EA talent saves leaders time, reduces hiring risk, and improves productivity.
- Remote and global executive assistants are now a practical, high-quality option in 2026.
- The best recruitment agencies focus on fit, discretion, and executive-level decision support.
- Hiring through an agency can lower overall costs compared to in-house recruitment.
- Choosing the right EA partner depends on vetting depth, transparency, and remote work expertise.
A good executive assistant (EA) does more than organize calendars or sort email; they guard hours, anticipate hurdles, and quietly handle what holds a team together. It’s less about booking calls or typing out replies, and more about noticing issues before they escalate.
They guard hours, anticipate moves before they happen, then move - calm, steady, doing what needs doing without asking.
But finding this level of talent is not easy.
For this reason, many businesses now rely on recruitment firms - particularly those focused on global, virtual roles.
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- Why specialized EA recruiters matter
- The best agencies to work with in 2026
- How to choose the right partner for your business
- Common FAQs about EA hiring
Let’s get started.
Why Use a Recruitment Agency for Executive Assistants?
Spending money on hiring adds up - according to SHRM, each new employee can cost more than 4,000 dollars, excluding internal time spent.
It makes sense to bring in recruitment partners since they:
1. Give You Access to Pre-Vetted Talent
A solid recruiter keeps a lineup of pros who’ve already helped top executives, startup founders, or busy workgroups grow. So instead of sorting through piles of applications, you’re diving into conversations with exactly who matters - the ones ready to deliver real results.
2. Understand the Skills That Matter
EAs require both technical and soft skills. Besides being able to prep documents and manage emails, it’s essential to hire someone who can anticipate your needs, too. Specialized recruiters can help you hire a well-rounded individual.
3. Save You Time, Resources, and Headaches
Finding, screening, and interviewing candidates takes hours. Negotiating terms after an offer also drains effort. Teams hand off these heavy tasks to agencies, so energy goes elsewhere.
4. Expand Your Search (Including Remote & Global Talent)
These days, quite a few organizations pull staff from across Latin America, the Philippines, Europe, and even further - usually without high costs compared to hiring here during regular U.S. hours.
5. Support Confidential, High-Level Searches
Nowhere is secrecy more key than when bringing on a top-level assistant - think CEO, CFO, or founder. Recruitment agencies recognize the need for employees who maintain confidentiality and apply it when sourcing high-quality candidates.
Hiring an executive assistant is not about filling a role quickly. It is about finding someone trusted to protect time, manage priorities, and think ahead.
Executive Assistant Recruitment vs. Staffing Agencies
First up, there's something companies tend to mix up - a key difference between options. Let’s clarify the difference:
Pick one based on what you require - support for big-picture goals or on-demand help with day-to-day tasks.
Recruitment agencies build long-term partnerships, while staffing agencies focus on flexibility. The right choice depends on whether you need lasting leadership support or short-term coverage.
Top Recruitment Agencies for Executive Assistants in 2026
When it comes to talent and track record, certain agencies stand out. Some focus intensely on specific areas, delivering tangible outcomes for clients. Let’s look at the agencies you should know.
A Quick Comparison Table
1. AbroadWorks: Best Overall Recruitment Agency for Executive Assistants
AbroadWorks stands out by enabling businesses to access experienced executive assistants available around the clock. These EAs operate successfully in international settings by working effectively with teams based in the United States, the United Kingdom, and across the globe.
The distinctiveness of AbroadWorks lies in its human-centered approach, which goes beyond following procedures.
The organization selects candidates based on their ability to meet the company's needs, rather than processing an excessive number of job applications; strong communication skills and a hands-on leadership history are key. The hiring process requires fit to precede format in every situation.
Why AbroadWorks stands out
- Specialists in remote executive assistants
From Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, AbroadWorks recruits exceptional EA professionals. These individuals typically speak English fluently, share cultural backgrounds that fit well, and work across time zones without issue. - Rigorous vetting beyond resumes
People get checked on various things:- Executive-level communication
- Proactive problem-solving
- Calendar, inbox, and stakeholder management
- Discretion and decision-making under pressure
- Made for today's spread-out work groups
Where leaders really operate - juggling apps, clocks, and nonstop change. - Long-term focus
Not just filling job vacancies, we aim for long-term employment.
Best for:
Startups, scaleups, and established companies are looking for reliable, high-quality executive assistants worldwide.
2. Robert Half: Best for Speed and Large Talent Pools
The worldwide job placement leader is Robert Half, which has established extensive networks to find support staff, including senior assistants.
Strengths
- The organization maintains an active candidate pool of candidates who have passed screening and meet all qualification standards.
- Temporary, contract, and permanent placements
- The North American market maintains Presence as its leading brand across the entire region.
Limitations
- Less specialized for remote-first or global teams
- The process of hiring senior executives sometimes creates the impression that it is a business deal.
Best for:
Companies that need an EA quickly and prefer a traditional, domestic hiring model.
3. Adecco: Best for Enterprise and Worldwide Operations
Adecco provides staffing solutions through its operations which span more than 60 countries across the globe. The organization selects executive assistants through a flexible approach, offering two recruitment options: temporary positions that may evolve into permanent roles and permanent executive assistant positions.
Strengths
- International reach, Substantial compliance, and HR infrastructure
- This works well when filling many positions at once.
Limitations
- Not as tailored as niche firms
- Often not set up well for early-stage companies run by their creators
Best for:
- Large companies use standardized processes to hire people.
4. Randstad: Best Tech-Enabled Recruitment
What sets Randstad apart is its blend of human insight and automated analysis, using artificial intelligence where possible. The company improves candidate matching by using real-time data rather than relying on interview processes. The organization provides two levels of support: high-level hiring assistance and a team that handles all daily administrative work. The team members of this group specialize in executive assistant placement services across various industries.
Strengths
- Technology-assisted candidate matching
- Flexible contract options
- Global presence
Limitations
- Fewer details on nuanced executive assistant tasks
- Handling small teams might make tasks feel more cumbersome than needed.
Best for:
- The recruitment insights segment serves businesses that operate at medium or larger scales, particularly those that depend on these insights.
5. C-Suite Assistants: Best Boutique Option for Senior Executives
C-Suite Assistants specialises in sourcing top-tier candidates for executive and key support roles.
Strengths
- Deep specialization in executive support
- High-touch, personalized service
- Strong focus on executive-EA chemistry
Limitations
- Primarily U.S.-based
- Not enough skilled workers worldwide or abroad to fill roles.
Best for:
- Top-level jobs that demand physical presence or require leaders to operate within the U.S. because of critical local needs.
Why Companies Are Choosing Remote Executive Assistants
Nowhere is change clearer than in how EA teams find people lately - they’re reaching far beyond office walls.
Firms team up with agencies such as AbroadWorks because they benefit from:
- Reach into a broader range of skilled people
- Improved global timing coverage
- Fewer expenses on management tasks and new staff hiring
- People driven by purpose, looking for stable remote opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative and executive support jobs are shifting heavily toward digital and remote work formats.
The best EA recruitment agencies go beyond resumes, prioritizing fit, discretion, and the ability to operate at an executive level.
How to Choose the Right Executive Assistant Recruitment Agency
Before signing up, ask the agency these questions:
1. Do they specialize in executive assistants?
It's not always clear, but general recruiters often overlook that EA roles require subtlety, decision-making, and awareness of authority.
2 . What level of screening do they really use?
The assessment process at agencies should include more than paper qualification reviews. They should implement assessment stages to screen all applicants rigorously.
3. Do they understand what remote work entails?
Remote work doesn’t just require certain apps and tools - it takes self-motivation and proactiveness.
4. Are hiring terms transparent?
A trustworthy agency would outline fees, employment terms, and other important information.
A strong recruitment partner proves its value through deep screening, transparent terms, and real understanding of executive-level work.
Executive Assistant Salary Expectations (2026)
Here are some general ranges of salaries:
- U.S. Executive Assistant (General)
The salary range for this position ranges from $45,000 to more than $80,000, based on geographic location, professional background, and business sector.
- Mid-Level or Senior Executive Assistant
The compensation for experienced assistants who work with C-suite leaders ranges from $80,000 to $110,000 and can exceed six figures, depending on their abilities and the size of their organization.
- Remote or International Executive Assistant
Can vary widely by local market, ranging from competitive local rates to U.S.-aligned compensation when supporting U.S.-based leadership.
Executive assistant compensation reflects impact. As responsibilities increase, so does the value placed on trust, judgment, and experience.
FAQs: Recruitment Agencies for Executive Assistants
How long does it take to hire an executive assistant through an agency?
Most jobs take two to four weeks, though timing depends on the level of involvement and when people are ready to start.
Are remote executive assistants as effective as in-office EAs?
Many remote EAs actually outperform in-office EAs due to ease of focus and flexibility.
Do recruitment agencies help with onboarding?
Some groups, like AbroadWorks, help teams shift into new roles to ensure successful onboarding and long-term success.
Is it safe to hire an executive assistant internationally?
Yes - especially if you’re going through agencies focused on background checks, legal approvals, or safe hiring methods.
Final Thoughts
Executive assistants are no longer just there for support. They now act as partners who help leaders thrive. They manage schedules, anticipate problems, and keep communication clear across teams. EAs often make decisions that keep the organization running.
A good assistant should identify future problems and take action to help the organization continue its progress.
The process of hiring an assistant requires more than just finding someone to fill the role; it demands identifying someone who will develop alongside the existing leadership team. The executive assistant needs to understand organizational priorities and adjust their work in response to changing requirements.
At AbroadWorks, our approach combines candidate vetting, skills and knowledge focus, and talent placement. The organization selects executive assistants through an evaluation system that assesses their qualifications and fit with the organization's cultural values.
