Look for an EA who writes formal Arabic and business English at the same level, works in a time zone that shares 7 to 9 hours with Dubai or Riyadh (the Gulf itself, Jordan or South Africa), and knows the local calendar: weekends, Ramadan hours and the moving dates of public holidays. Interview on video in both languages before you sign, and set clear rules on what can be sent without your approval.
Why bilingual matters more than it looks
Many Gulf executives run a bilingual day: government and family correspondence in Arabic, investors, partners and board material in English. An assistant who is strong in only one of the two sends the other half back to you.
Check three things separately: formal written Arabic for letters and official correspondence, spoken Gulf Arabic for calls with offices and family, and executive-level written English for everything else.
Shared working hours with Dubai and Riyadh
Hours you and your EA share on a 9:00–18:00 day, by where the EA is based.
| EA based in | UTC offset | Shared with Dubai | Shared with Riyadh |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | +4 | 9 h | 8 h |
| Saudi Arabia or Jordan | +3 | 8 h | 9 h |
| South Africa | +2 | 7 h | 8 h |
| Philippines | +8 | 5 h | 4 h |
| Colombia | −5 | 0 h | 1 h |
Standard offsets from the IANA time zone database; none of these places changes its clocks for daylight saving time.
What to check in the interview
- Ask for a short formal letter in Arabic and the same message as an email in English. Compare tone, not only grammar.
- Run part of the video interview in each language.
- Ask how they would plan your calendar around Ramadan working hours and a public holiday whose date is announced late.
- Ask how they handle documents that mix right-to-left and left-to-right text.
- Ask what they would never send without your approval. The answer tells you about their judgment.
- Check references from executives in the region and confirm they will sign an NDA.
Discretion, family offices and approvals
Family offices and senior executives in the Gulf often mix business and family matters in one inbox. Decide from day one which topics stay with you, which people your EA can answer directly and which require your OK. At Hedly this is set as approval modes per task type, and every action is logged in your Friday report.
How Hedly helps
Hedly works in English, Spanish and Arabic, with assistants across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. The Executive plan includes a senior bilingual EA with extended hours. You meet 3 EAs on video within 24 hours, interview them in both languages and choose one. See the plans or meet 3 EAs in 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
01Can a remote EA cover a Gulf working day?
Yes, if they are based in the Gulf, Jordan or South Africa: those locations share 7 to 9 hours with a 9:00–18:00 day in Dubai or Riyadh.
02Should the EA write in formal Arabic or Gulf dialect?
Both have a place: formal written Arabic for letters and official correspondence, spoken Gulf Arabic for calls. Test each one separately in the interview.
03Does Hedly offer Arabic-speaking executive assistants?
Yes. Hedly works in English, Spanish and Arabic, and the Executive plan includes a senior bilingual EA with extended hours.
04How do I keep family matters private?
Decide which topics stay with you and set them to "human only" or "needs your OK". EAs sign NDAs, and access is managed and logged.
Sources
Published: · Updated:
