Managed Virtual Assistant vs. Direct Hire
Both start the same way -- we recruit, screen, and match a vetted candidate to your role. The difference is what happens after your Virtual Assistant starts.
| Managed Virtual Assistant | Direct hire | |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting & screening | We handle it | We handle it |
| Skills testing & vetting | We handle it | We handle it |
| Onboarding | Structured onboarding support | Your team handles it |
| Day-to-day management | Your team | Your team |
| Ongoing check-ins & support | Included | Not included |
| Replacement if it's not working out | Included in the first 30 days | Separate placement fee applies |
| Payment model | Virtual Assistant compensation + ongoing service margin | Virtual Assistant compensation + one-time placement fee |
| Best for | Teams that want backup and accountability built in | Teams confident managing the Virtual Assistant relationship solo |
The first 30 days with a Managed Virtual Assistant.
What a typical Managed Virtual Assistant onboarding looks like -- your 30-day replacement window runs alongside this.
Access & setup
Role brief confirmed, tools and access provisioned, SOPs and expectations agreed before day one.
Onboarding & shadowing
Introductions, training, and orientation through a structured onboarding plan.
First recurring tasks
Your Virtual Assistant takes ownership of the first agreed recurring responsibilities.
Expanding scope
Responsibilities grow as the working relationship and trust build.
Day 30: a check-in to confirm fit -- this is also when the replacement window closes. Exact pacing depends on the role and how quickly access and information are provided on your side.
What does dedicated Virtual Assistant mean?
A dedicated Virtual Assistant is one person assigned to a defined recurring role rather than a shared task pool. The assistant can still be hired through a managed service or direct-hire model. Dedicated describes role ownership; managed versus direct hire describes the support structure around the placement.
Dedicated + managed
One Virtual Assistant owns the agreed role while recruiting, onboarding support, placement monitoring, and replacement support remain part of the service.
Dedicated + direct hire
One Virtual Assistant owns the agreed role, but your team takes over the ongoing management relationship after placement.
Employee, contractor, dedicated VA, and BPO are not the same model.
Search terms often mix worker classification with service structure. Employee or contractor describes the legal working relationship, which depends on the actual arrangement and applicable law. Dedicated describes one person owning a recurring role. BPO usually describes a provider taking responsibility for a broader outsourced process or team.
Employee or contractor
This is a classification and compliance question, not a marketing label. Confirm the actual working relationship, local requirements, payroll or invoicing setup, and professional advice where needed.
Dedicated Virtual Assistant
One named person owns the agreed recurring role. That person can sit inside a managed or direct-hire structure.
BPO or outsourced team
The provider may own a process, service level, team structure, or queue rather than placing one individual into your operating team.
Choose Managed Virtual Assistant if...
You want a backup plan if the placement doesn't work out, ongoing accountability beyond the hire, and someone to call if something goes wrong -- not just an introduction.
Choose Direct Hire if...
You already have the internal capacity to manage a remote hire day-to-day and just need help finding and vetting the right person.