By the jobsspace editorial team | Last updated: October 2026

Viva is hiring remote Executive Assistants in South Africa to support the founders and CEOs of fast-growing startups. This is a fully remote position with fixed working hours, weekends off, global health insurance and structured career growth. If you are organised, confident in English and ready to work closely with senior leaders, this vacancy is worth a serious look.

This guide covers the full job details, requirements, benefits, hiring process and practical tips for preparing a strong application.

Job Summary

Detail	Information
Company	Viva
Position	Executive Assistant
Department	Executive Assistants (EAs)
Location	South Africa, open only to candidates based in South Africa
Work type	Fully remote
Experience	2 or more years of work experience
Language	Fluent English (C1 level)
Salary	Negotiable (with Benefits available)
Closing date	Not specified, apply as soon as possible
Response time	Viva usually responds within three days

About the Role

As an Executive Assistant at Viva, you will do far more than manage calendars and inboxes. You become the right hand and strategic partner of startup executives, helping them work faster, stay focused and make better use of their time. You will support up to three executives, anticipate what they need before they ask, solve problems and take ownership of tasks from start to finish.

The role suits people who enjoy fast-paced environments, like taking initiative and want to see the direct effect of their work on a growing business.

About Viva

Viva is a company that places remote executive assistants with startup leaders. Its stated mission is to create meaningful, well-supported careers, with a particular focus on women in Latin America, and it builds its culture around growth, impact and wellbeing. Viva reports a 4.9 rating on Glassdoor and describes itself as an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Your main goal is to help CEOs at fast-growing startups become more productive, efficient and ready to scale. Your day-to-day duties include the following.

• Strategic partnership: Support up to three executives, anticipate their needs, solve problems and keep them focused on what matters most.
• Administrative support: Manage calendars, emails, meetings, expenses and travel, and help with team engagement so that everything runs smoothly.
• Operational support: Assist with internal projects, reporting, process improvements and workflow optimisation.
• Initiative and communication: Speak up, offer solutions and spot problems before they become urgent.
• Business impact: Complete tasks and share ideas that save executives time, clear roadblocks and help their companies grow.

Requirements and Qualifications

• At least two years of work experience
• Fluent English at C1 level, which means you can communicate clearly, confidently and quickly, in writing and speaking
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach, taking action without waiting to be told
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with accuracy as your default
• Comfort with technology and the ability to adapt quickly, including Google Workspace, Slack, Notion and AI tools
• Confidence to take ownership, speak up and make things happen
• Residence in South Africa, as the role is open only to South African candidates

Viva encourages people to apply even if they do not meet every requirement, so do not rule yourself out if you meet most of them.

Skills and Tools You Should Know

Executive assistants in remote startups rely on a standard set of digital tools. Practise the following before you apply.

• Google Workspace: Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive
• Slack: Channels, direct messages, threads and reminders
• Notion: Pages, databases and simple project boards
• AI tools: Using AI assistants to draft emails, summarise meetings and organise information, while checking the results for accuracy
• Calendar and travel management: Scheduling across time zones, booking flights and accommodation, and handling changes
• Expense tracking: Recording, categorising and reporting expenses accurately
• Written communication: Clear, polite and concise emails and messages in professional English

Benefits and What Viva Offers

Viva lists the following benefits for its remote team members.

• 100 percent remote and balanced: Fixed schedules, no overtime and weekends off
• Career growth: Structured development, feedback, mentorship and opportunities to progress
• Competitive pay: Raises and bonuses every six months, with payment delivered through Deel
• Base pay activations: Your base pay increases when you reach milestones such as being placed with a CEO, supporting an executive or managing multiple executives
• Global health insurance: Medical, dental, vision and mental health cover wherever you live
• Paid time off: Holidays, vacation, sick days and family care days
• Family-friendly benefits: Paid maternity leave and flexible policies for parents
• Team culture: Wellness sessions, trivia, team calls and Feedback Fridays to keep remote staff connected
• Monthly stipends and perks: Wellness budgets, co-working space coverage, learning stipends and quarterly celebration funds

Note: Benefits, pay structure and conditions are set by the employer and may change. Confirm the final details in your offer letter before you accept.

Hiring Process

Viva uses a five-stage process. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare.

1. Apply online: The application takes about 15 minutes.
2. Screening assessment: A quick test of your skills.
3. Group interview: A 30-minute group conversation with the Viva team, which the company calls Cafe con Viva.
4. Skill assessment: A deeper exercise based on real executive assistant tasks.
5. Final interview: A one-on-one conversation to confirm that you and Viva are a good fit.

How to Apply

1. Check that you live in South Africa and meet the main requirements.
2. Update your CV with your administrative experience, tools you use and examples of results, such as time saved or processes improved.
3. Visit the official Viva application page for the Executive Assistant role and complete the online form, which takes about 15 minutes.
4. Complete the screening assessment promptly.
5. Check your inbox and spam folder regularly, because Viva usually replies within three days.
6. Prepare for the group interview, skills assessment and final interview.

Apply only through Viva’s official channels. Do not use unofficial links.

Warning: Viva states that all of its communication comes from an email address ending in @execviva.com. It never asks candidates for payment or sensitive personal information. If you receive a message from any other source, such as social media, report it to careers@execviva.com. Never pay a fee for a job application, and be careful with offers that look too good to be true.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Show real results. Instead of saying you are organised, give examples such as managing a busy diary, reducing missed meetings or improving a filing system.
• Prove your English. Write a clear, error-free CV and cover message. C1 English means natural, confident communication.
• Highlight remote experience. If you have worked from home, mention how you stayed productive and communicated with a team.
• Name your tools. List Google Workspace, Slack, Notion and any AI tools you use.
• Show initiative. Describe a time you spotted a problem and fixed it without being asked.
• Prepare for the skills test. Practise scheduling across time zones, drafting professional emails, prioritising urgent tasks and summarising long documents.
• Test your setup. Make sure you have stable internet, a quiet workspace and working audio and video for online interviews.
• Respond quickly. Fast, polite replies at each stage show reliability.

Career Ladder: Executive Assistant Career Path

1. Executive Assistant: Support up to three executives with scheduling, communication and daily operations
2. Senior Executive Assistant: Manage multiple senior leaders, own larger projects and mentor newer assistants
3. Chief of Staff or Operations Coordinator: Lead strategic projects, manage processes and act as a trusted adviser to leadership
4. Operations or Business Manager: Oversee teams, budgets and company operations

As Viva mentions, base pay and opportunities can grow as you reach milestones such as supporting a CEO or managing more than one executive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Executive Assistant job really remote?

Yes. Viva lists the role as fully remote, but it is open only to candidates who live in South Africa.

How many years of experience do I need?

Viva asks for at least two years of work experience. You should also be comfortable with common digital tools and confident in written and spoken English.

What does C1 English mean?

C1 is an advanced level on the international language scale. It means you can communicate fluently and accurately, handle complex topics and write clear professional messages.

How much does the job pay?

The advertisement does not state a figure. It describes competitive pay, raises and bonuses every six months, and base pay increases when you reach certain milestones. Discuss the exact amount during the hiring process.

How do I know this job is genuine?

Check that all communication comes from an @execviva.com email address, apply only through official channels and never pay money to apply. Report suspicious messages to careers@execviva.com.

Can I apply if I do not meet every requirement?

Yes. Viva encourages people to apply even if they do not meet 100 percent of the criteria, as long as they meet the core requirements such as experience, English level and location.

Final Thoughts

This Executive Assistant vacancy suits organised, confident professionals who want a remote role with clear structure, strong benefits and room to grow. Prepare your CV, practise your tools and apply through the official channel. Strong communication and a proactive attitude can set you apart at every stage of the process.

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