ROLLER has been named a finalist in the Australian Financial Review’s Best Places to Work Awards for 2026. It marks a second year of recognition and reflects the work happening behind the scenes to build a high-performing, thoughtful, and connected workplace.
We spoke with Mandy Gooch-Smith, Chief Performance Officer, about what this recognition really means, and what it says about the kind of company ROLLER is building.
ROLLER has been named a finalist two years running. What does that recognition mean to you?
It’s something the team feels genuinely proud of. It means we’re getting the culture right, not in a surface-level way, but in the way that really matters.
Two years of recognition tell me we’re not getting lucky. It reflects something real in how people experience working at ROLLER. That’s built over time through the decisions we make, about how we empower people, and what we expect of each other.
At ROLLER, performance and culture go hand in hand. When people have high standards and a clear connection to impact, it creates momentum across the business.
What’s really driving the culture at ROLLER?
The recognition is meaningful, but what matters most is what sits behind it. At ROLLER, culture is driven by a shared commitment to high standards and a strong connection to our customers. ROLLERs make it happen. We raise the bar, set ambitious goals, and go after them with intent. And we do it together, pushing each other to be our best selves.
At the same time, that level of performance only works when people feel supported to contribute. Trust, open feedback, and psychological safety create the environment for people to speak up, take ownership, and keep improving.
When you are surrounded by people who care deeply about the product, the customer, and each other, it creates an energy that’s hard to describe and impossible to replicate. That is what we are focused on building and protecting as we grow.
How do you scale culture as ROLLER grows globally without losing what makes it work?
This is the question I think about most. Growth is exciting right now, but pace can be the enemy of culture if you’re not deliberate.
For us, it comes back to being clear on what matters. We hire for values, not just skills. We invest in people who model the behaviors we want to see. And we hold ourselves accountable, not just to results, but to the kind of company we are building.
What we’ve seen at ROLLER is that growth can strengthen culture when it is done well. People step up, expectations are clearer, and opportunities open up faster.
When the environment is moving at pace, people who perform are seen, challenged, and given room to grow. That is something we are focused on maintaining as we scale.
ROLLER is a technology company at its core. How does that shape the experience of working here?
It shapes it in a very real way. We build software for leading leisure and attractions businesses around the world. It is a competitive space, and the work is complex and constantly evolving. For people who care about their craft, whether in engineering, product, design, data, or otherwise, that level of challenge really matters.
The work is hands-on and visible. Teams are solving genuinely hard, real problems using modern technology and seeing the impact of what they build in the real world.
We are also investing in areas like AI and automation, and what that means for both our product and our people. There is a strong focus on staying current, testing ideas, and leading the way in building new skills.
For people who want to do meaningful work and keep growing, that creates a lot of opportunity.
What does ROLLER actually look for when hiring?
Passion and craft. We want people who take pride in their work, hold themselves to a high standard, and stay curious as they keep improving.
We also value resilience. People who can work through challenges, stay open to feedback, and keep moving forward when things are not always clear.
Just as important is how people show up for others. The strongest teams at ROLLER are made up of people who support each other, share what they know, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
What would you say to someone considering joining ROLLER?
ROLLER is a place for people who want to push themselves. The bar is high, and the people around you raise it every day.
If you are looking for a place to do some of the best work of your career and be part of a team that cares about what it is building, in a market that’s growing, you will feel at home here.
We are proud of this recognition, but more than that, we are proud of the people behind it. This reflects the standards they set and the way they show up every day.
Ready to build something great?
Explore open roles and learn more about life at ROLLER: https://www.roller.software/people-and-culture/careers-jobs.
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