Virtual Assistant

Part-Time Virtual Assistant – UK Plumbing Business & General Admin

We are a busy, established plumbing and heating business based in London, UK, looking for a reliable and proactive Virtual Assistant based in the Philippines.

This is initially a part-time role of approximately 10 hours per week, with flexible working hours and the potential for the role and hours to increase over time.

The role

The majority of your time will be supporting our plumbing and heating business with day-to-day administration.

Typical tasks will include:

Managing and organising email s
Following up customers, suppliers and contractors
Helping prepare and send quotations
Chasing outstanding information and paperwork
Organising files and documents
Updating spreadsheets
Supplier and product research
Obtaining prices and comparing options
Booking appointments and helping organise diaries
Helping with tenders and general business administration
Drafting professional email s and messages
Keeping track of outstanding tasks and following them through to completion
General problem-solving and research

There will also occasionally be administration relating to property investments and some personal/life administration such as travel bookings, research, appointments and purchases.

How we would work together

The role will be fairly flexible and is well suited to someone comfortable working independently.

A lot of our communication will be through WhatsApp, including voice notes.

I may send messages and tasks throughout the day as things arise. There is no expectation for you to respond immediately or constantly monitor WhatsApp.

Instead, you would pick up the outstanding tasks during your working hours, organise them, action what you can and keep me updated on progress.

We would ideally have a catch-up once per week where our working hours overlap, but there is no requirement to work normal UK office hours.

I am also happy to accommodate the Philippines/UK time difference when we need to speak.

The person we are looking for

The most important quality is initiative.

We do not want someone who simply waits for an instruction for every step.

We are looking for someone who can be given a task such as:

“Can you sort this out for me?”

…and then investigate it, work out the sensible next steps, take appropriate action and come back with an answer, recommendation or a small number of options.

You should have:

Excellent written and spoken English
Very good attention to detail
Strong organisation skills
Confidence using email , spreadsheets and online systems
Good internet research skills
Ability to communicate professionally with UK customers and businesses
Ability to prioritise several small tasks
Confidence asking questions when something genuinely isn't clear
Good common sense and problem-solving skills
Previous Virtual Assistant or business administration experience

Previous experience working with a UK business would be helpful but is not essential.

Experience in plumbing, construction or property is useful but not required.

Equipment

You must already have your own suitable setup for remote work, including:

Reliable computer or laptop
Smartphone
Stable internet connection
Suitable microphone/headset for calls
Ability to use WhatsApp comfortably
Ideally a backup internet option such as mobile data/hotspot

We are not looking for someone who needs equipment purchased for them in order to start the role.

Hours

Approximately 10 hours per week initially.

The hours do not need to be rigidly fixed at 2 hours every day.

We are happy for the right person to manage their time reasonably flexibly across the working week, provided tasks are dealt with reliably and communication is good.

There is potential for the hours to increase if the arrangement works well and there is enough ongoing work.

Pay

Starting pay: $4–$6 USD per hour depending on experience and ability.

A higher rate may be considered for an exceptional candidate.

We are looking for somebody long-term rather than simply looking for the cheapest VA available.

There will be an opportunity for increased hours, pay and responsibility for the right person.

How to apply

Please start your application with the words:

GREEN TAP

This lets us know you have read the full advert.

Please then answer the following:

Tell me briefly about your current or most recent VA/admin role.
Have you previously worked for a UK, Australian, US or European business? If yes, what did you do?
Would approximately 10 hours per week work for you?
What hourly rate are you looking for?
Do you currently work for any other clients? If so, approximately how many hours per week?
What computer/laptop and smartphone do you currently use for remote work?
What is your internet setup and do you have a backup connection?
Give an example of a situation where you were given a vague task or problem and worked out how to solve it yourself.

Finally, please complete this short exercise:

Imagine I send you the following WhatsApp voice note:

“We need a replacement kitchen tap for a customer. Find me three decent options available in the UK around £80–£150. It needs to be a good brand, chrome, suitable for a standard kitchen sink and ideally available quickly. Send me your recommendation.”

Tell me briefly how you would approach the task and how you would present the answer back to me.

Please don't use AI to write a long, formal application. A short and natural response written in your own words is much more useful to us.

We are hoping to find someone who can become a trusted part of the business over the long term.