Frequently Asked Questions

Staff Stack is delivery infrastructure for digital agencies. We place StackCertified operators — full-time, Philippines-based specialists tested on real, role-specific agency work and AI workflows before you ever interview them. Unlike a generalist VA shop or BPO, we focus on three agency verticals — retention/email (Klaviyo), paid media operations, and Shopify development — and every operator joins your delivery team to execute production work, not ad-hoc tasks. You see the proof — a scorecard, a sample deliverable, and an AI workflow trace — before the interview.

We fit ecommerce and marketing agencies that are winning clients but hitting delivery bottlenecks — campaign production, QA, reporting, and client turnaround piling up on senior strategists. If you need reliable full-time capacity in retention/Klaviyo, paid media, or Shopify (rather than freelancers or résumé floods), we're built for you. We're not the right choice for one-off admin tasks or a cheapest-possible-VA hire.

It starts with a short consultation to scope the role and workflow. We then match you with StackCertified candidates — typically within days to a couple of weeks — and you interview the shortlist with their scorecards in hand. Once you select an operator, we handle onboarding and they're set up and shipping work within about 7 days. The final hiring decision is always yours.

We staff 12 StackCertified roles across three agency verticals: Retention & Klaviyo (Klaviyo Ops, Email Copywriter, Lifecycle Strategist), Paid Media Ops (Media Buyer, Creative Strategist, Paid Social Analyst), and Shopify Development (Shopify Developer, Shopify Theme Developer, Shopify Plus Architect) — plus cross-functional Operations roles (Account Manager, Project Manager, QA Reviewer). Every role on the Roles page comes with a scorecard and a clear price band.

Before placement, every operator completes a role-specific, production-style test — the real work they'll own — and we capture the evidence: the finished deliverable, the AI workflow trace (prompts → output → edits), a QA checklist, and a Loom handoff. That becomes a scorecard you review before the interview. Operators are certified on 15+ AI tools relevant to their role, such as Klaviyo AI, Meta Advantage+, Claude, and GitHub Copilot.

Yes. After our screening and certification, you get a shortlist with scorecards and sample work, then interview in whatever format you prefer — technical assessment, panel, or multiple rounds. The hiring decision is entirely yours; we never auto-assign an operator to your team.

For our core retention, paid media, and Shopify roles, we can usually present certified candidates within days to about two weeks of finalizing the role. Once you select an operator, onboarding takes around 7 days to their first day of shipping work. More senior or specialized roles can take a little longer to source the right person.

Every placement is backed by a replacement guarantee and a pre-certified backup bench, so we can swap an operator if the fit isn't right and keep your delivery moving. We also work with you and the operator through StackOps to address performance issues early. See the StackGuarantee page for the current terms by plan.

Most agencies choose one of three setups: operators work your business hours for real-time collaboration; you establish core overlap hours for meetings with independent work outside them; or operators work Philippine hours for overnight turnaround. Operators are generally flexible on schedule, and we'll agree the best arrangement during onboarding.

Operators are full-time and remote. They work on reliable, business-grade setups with backup internet, and we can align to your specific equipment or access requirements. Day to day, you direct the work just like an in-house team member; Staff Stack handles HR, payroll, and the StackOps support layer around them.

Every operator signs an NDA and an IP assignment agreement, uses multi-factor authentication, and follows least-privilege access to your tools and data. We align to your security requirements — password manager, device policy, and restricted access to sensitive systems — and can implement client-specific protocols. Our published security practices and roadmap are on the Security page.

That's what StackOps is for. After placement we support each operator with weekly KPI reviews, QA checklists, SOP coaching, and escalation support, while you keep direct day-to-day work management. The goal isn't just to fill a seat — it's to keep client work shipping at a consistent quality.

Two transparent models. Managed Teams: the operator's salary plus a flat $1,600/mo Staff Stack management fee — no hidden salary markup. Direct Hire: a one-time placement fee of 25-35% of first-year salary. Estimated all-in monthly cost runs roughly $2,000-$7,200 depending on role, experience, and scope. The Pricing and Salary Guide pages show per-role ranges.

No. On Managed Teams the monthly fee covers recruitment, StackCertified onboarding, HR, payroll, compliance, StackOps QA and KPI reviews, and replacement coverage. We separate the operator's salary from our management fee so you see exactly what you're paying for. The only possible extra is specialized software or hardware your work specifically requires, which we'd agree on in advance.

Managed Teams are billed monthly. Direct Hire is a one-time placement. We keep terms straightforward and confirm the exact commitment and notice period for your plan up front — see the Pricing page or ask us in a consultation.

Managed Teams are invoiced monthly in advance via bank transfer or card, in USD or other major currencies as needed. We provide detailed invoices and can accommodate your accounting requirements.

On Managed Teams, Staff Stack (through our Philippine entity) is the employer of record. We handle employment contracts, tax withholding, and mandatory benefits under Philippine labor law, so you don't need to set up a local entity — while you keep full day-to-day direction of the operator's work.

Every operator signs a comprehensive IP agreement assigning all work created during their engagement to your company, with confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses. We can add IP-protection measures you require, such as restricted access to sensitive systems or device-use limits.

Our client agreements include clear dispute-resolution steps — good-faith negotiation first, then mediation if needed. Your account manager is your primary point of contact for resolving any concern quickly and fairly during the engagement.

No. We handle regulatory compliance in the Philippines — working hours, minimum wage, mandatory benefits, tax withholding, and data-privacy law — and keep current with legislative changes. You focus on the work; we handle employment compliance.