Lift Off: The Rocket Software Rocketeer Profile Series - Get to Know Tim Cooper

February 21, 2024

We talk a lot about our values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love here at Rocket Software. Those values help us keep our customers at the leading edge of their digital transformation and modernization journeys. But that success is only possible because of the Rocketeers who are all-in on those core values, bringing their passion and industry-leading expertise to every challenge that comes their way.

Our next Rocketeer to step into the spotlight is Tim Cooper, Senior Director and Global Head of Total Rewards at Rocket Software. Tim is a crucial part of Rocket Software's senior leadership team, working with the People team and Finance to ensure our benefits meet Rocketeers wherever they are in their life journey. Join us as we get to know Tim.

Fast Facts

One word to describe the Rocket culture?
Collaborative

Coffee or tea?
Coffee: I’m an all-day coffee drinker!

Proud Moment?
Growing the benefits team at Rocket Software

Favorite Rocket Software value?
Both Humanity and Empathy— Keeping these at the core of our decision-making makes us unique

Bucket List Destination?
Tokyo, Japan

What is your role at Rocket Software, and what does a typical day look like?

My “typical” day could be anything. The main focus of my job is ensuring that people are paid fairly for their work and that there are benefits and well-being resources in place to support them and their families.

I know my job is very important to Rocketeers at Rocket Software— we have a range of benefits that our Rocketeers and their family members can enjoy, too.

One of the ways we care for our Rocketeers is through our medical offerings. Some situations can be quite challenging, and we support them and their families in navigating complex health care across all our countries, and that’s something I take very seriously.

What interested you in Rocket Software?

I was referred to a position at Rocket Software by someone I used to work with. When I joined, this team was very small. The challenge of building something almost from scratch was very exciting to me then and still motivates me today.

How would you describe the team and work environment within your department/Rocket Software?

Rocket Software is a high-energy and fast-paced place to work. Everyone is collaborative, allowing my team and me to work seamlessly across departments. Because of this, I know my team can make an impact—we are talking about people’s health and compensation; if we do things right, we can make a big difference in people’s lives.

What projects/aspects of your job bring you the most excitement?

This will make me sound like a huge nerd, but I love working in Excel. It is fun to model different scenarios and see how results could change with just a few simple inputs. I just put my headset on and can get in the zone. I could do that all day.

What is one of your proudest moments during your time at Rocket Software?

So many things have made me genuinely proud to work at Rocket Software and be a Rocketeer. In general, the mindset here is around doing the “right thing,” and that is very refreshing.

At Rocket Software, we try to go above and beyond to ensure people feel supported, which makes me incredibly proud to come to work every day.

Do you think Rocket Software’s core values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love are unique from other companies? And how do you live by these in your day-to-day role?

I think about the company’s core values daily and ensure they’re reflected in employees’ benefits and compensation. It’s not just about ticking a box here; we want these benefits to shine through on everything that we do. I want my fellow Rocketeers to feel loved by their workplace, and I want them to know that they can trust us to have their back and we will always be understanding of their situation. A lot of companies don’t do this. Often, employees are just a number and a body at a desk. Rocket Software makes an active effort so Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love shine through in everything the company does.

Rocket Software inspires an environment where diversity is celebrated and respected, people are valued for their unique contributions, and where each Rocketeer feels a sense of belonging. The Rocket Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) Program helps foster these beliefs. Tell us why you think DEI in the workplace is so important today. If you’ve participated in any RIDE initiatives previously, please share!

I think you have to consider different people's experiences and values in an organization because there's no correct way of thinking. We encourage diversity of thought here at Rocket Software. Employees' experiences and living our values can contribute to solutions in ways you may not have thought of before. Rocket Software and the executive leadership team want everyone to be comfortable and confident in expressing their views and opinions.

The RIDE program helps to further this sharing of ideas, cultures, and perspectives. RIDE initiatives, like learning about another country’s national holiday or hosting a roundtable discussion for Black History Month, allow Rocketeers to open up their viewpoints on the world around them. There’s always so much more to learn from those around us, and RIDE makes sure that can happen.