About Us
Literacy Pirates’ vision is for every child to have the literacy skills, confidence and perseverance to succeed at school and beyond. We provide free, after-school literacy support to children who are falling behind in class and who have fewer opportunities for additional support due to their personal circumstances than others. Founded in East London, Literacy Pirates’ programme now runs online and serves children anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Literacy Pirates is on an exciting journey of growth, rolling out our innovative learning programme to reach more children than ever before. An ambitious, fast-growing charity we have set ourselves a goal of reaching 3,000 children a year nationally, by 2030 compared with 650 this year. Our work is centered around creating a positive impact, and we thrive on collaboration and innovation. We need an organised and proactive Office Administrator to ensure the smooth running of our headquarters. This role is essential in keeping our team supported, our systems efficient, and our space safe and welcoming. If you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving, keeping things in order, and working in a dynamic environment, we’d love to hear from you!
What we're looking for
In this hands-on role, the Office Administrator will oversee office management, facility operations, and some management of our hardware and software, while also leading projects and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
We're looking for someone who is:
- Quick to learn and adapt – you pick up new systems and processes with ease.
- Calm and solutions-focused when things get busy – you enjoy finding practical ways through challenges.
- Able to prioritise effectively and keep things running smoothly even when juggling competing tasks.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Confident with technology and curious about how digital tools can make work easier or smarter.
- Comfortable working in a busy office environment.
- Excellent problem solving skills and ability to learn new things.
- Strong team player who enjoys working with different people in a supportive role.
- Commitment to our mission and the children we work with.
- Experience in office administration or similar roles (desirable).
- Knowledge of health and safety procedures and GDPR compliance (desirable).
If that sounds like you then we’d love to hear from you!
Role Description
Office Administration:
- Work with the SLT to implement and maintain core policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, including risk assessments, audits, certifications, and training (fire drills, first aid, evacuation procedures).
- Liaise with tenants and landlords to uphold appropriate processes and procedures.
- Manage data processing, GDPR compliance, and act as the organisation’s Data Protection Officer.
- Oversee office supplies and supplier management, ensuring best value in all contracts and services.
- Handle incoming enquiries via phone and email.
Facility Management:
- Conduct regular building checks (fire alarm tests, PAT testing, etc.) to maintain a clean and safe workspace.
- Supervise contractors, including cleaners.
- Address facility issues and manage repairs with tenants and landlords.
- Process invoices and provide basic bookkeeping support.
- Monitor costs and undertake quote comparison processes for financial efficiency.
Systems Administration:
- Act as the first point of contact for IT issues, updates, and maintenance.
- Resolve IT problems or coordinate with our Tech and Systems manager and external IT support providers.
- Manage IT procurement, ensuring appropriate equipment is in place and maintaining an accurate record of IT assets.
- Ensure all network updates, licences, and software are current and tendered every three years.
Project Management:
- Oversee the design, renovation, and logistics of the Hackney building as needed.
- Lead and support digital, agile, and administrative projects, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery.
- Assist in recruiting new team members.
- Manage marketing and bookings for our fantastical space hire.
Governance:
- Support the Chief Executive and SLT as needed.
- Maintain accurate governance and compliance records.
We develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of children who are falling behind in class and have fewer opportunities in their personal lives.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Kitchen Chef
We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Chef to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Westminster.
£12,603.50 per annum, working 17.5 hours per week.
Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.
What you'll do:
* To be responsible for the day-to-day supervision for all staff working in the kitchen/dining room
* To prepare and cook meals for residents according to agreed menus
* To ensure that meals are provided on time in accordance advertised meal times
* To ensure food kitchen hygiene meets a high standard at all times
* To ensure that all meals are appropriately presented and served
* To monitor all kitchen staff in safe methods of working with equipment and machinery
* To report any accident, breakage or fault in accordance with the stated procedure
* To maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene in all food preparation and serving areas
* To provide a high standard of service to customers at all times and to deal with customers comments and complaints appropriately
* Any other duties as designated by the line manager
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
* Approachable and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is essentially customer-focused
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours
What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Holds a level 3 food safety certificate
Desirable:
* Previously worked in a kitchen environment
About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.
Delicia Mensah | Talent Partner | People Team
Look Ahead | Cally Yard, 439 Caledonian Road, London, N7 9BG
| www.lookahead.org.uk | @lookaheadtweets
Pronouns: She/Her