A dynamic business: What drew a Bloomberg leader to the Product team

There’s no doubt that, at Bloomberg, our people make the company. Coming in at a close second, however, are the products that make us the best in the industry – from the Bloomberg Terminal itself to our risk management solutions, and everything in between. 

Of course, those products wouldn’t work without our people. Our Product teams are responsible for developing and improving these industry-utility products, designing and implementing financial models, and collaborating with and supporting clients to guarantee Bloomberg continues to be the best in the business. Naturally, that means that our Product team members are some of the smartest financial minds out there, with years of expertise. 

How do they get here? We sat down with Nitin Ananda – a Product leader from our London office – to hear about what drew him to working in Product at Bloomberg and what his role looks like. 

Tell us about your career journey. Did you start out in Product? How did you find yourself at Bloomberg? 

Nitin: I completed my undergraduate degree in engineering in India, where my first role involved automating robots to mold sheet metal into car bodies. This position was an engaging blend of engineering, mathematics, and computer science skills. From there, I went to Merrill Lynch, where I joined as an Analyst on the swaps desk. 

During the 2008-09 financial crisis, I anticipated job uncertainty due to the ongoing merger with Bank of America and so pursued a degree in Financial Engineering, aiming to work in quant trading roles. 

Upon graduation, a friend working at Bloomberg at the time recommended the company, highlighting the positive work culture. During my interview, I learned about Bloomberg’s plans to expand in the derivatives space and the need for programmers with my background. The opportunity to help build a new product was exciting, and I decided to accept the offer. 

What inspired you to transition into Product at Bloomberg? 

Nitin: I transitioned from engineering to product after successfully developing a one-of-a-kind structured products pricing and risk calculator here at Bloomberg. I spent three to four years as a specialist on that product before, in 2018, moving into a full-time product role, managing the Multi-Asset Risk System (MARS) Front Office. 

I had always seen product management as a natural extension of my engineering background, as both require a deep understanding of what we’re building and a clear approach to execution. However, what surprised me was how essential it is to understand the broader business landscape. Combining that knowledge with my technical expertise has given me a unique perspective on driving Bloomberg’s products forward effectively. 

Tell us about your current role at Bloomberg. What do you enjoy about working in Product? 

Nitin: I’m currently a key leader on the Enterprise Platform team. I’ve found my role as a product manager to be highly varied, which, while unpredictable, is what makes a career in Product exciting and engaging. As product managers, we’re responsible for driving the business forward and keeping management updated on our progress. Some days are dedicated to preparing presentations for management, while others are spent meeting clients, conducting roadshows to pitch our products, and staying current with industry trends. 

A significant part of my role also involves executing our product plans—collaborating closely with engineering to provide requirements, business context, and a shared vision of what we’re building together as a team. 

Bloomberg has such a dynamic approach to business, and my work in Product allows me to contribute meaningfully to that journey. Every day, I’m gaining a comprehensive, 360-degree view of how what we build translates into value for our clients. 

What do you appreciate most about working at Bloomberg? 

Nitin: One of my favorite aspects of Bloomberg’s culture is the work-life balance, which is quite unique in both the tech and financial industries. While there are rare weeks where we may work long hours to meet deadlines, it’s never due to pressure from management. Additionally, the constant support from superiors truly makes you feel like part of the Bloomberg family, valued as an individual and not just an employee. 

Interested in learning more about roles in the Product department? Explore open opportunities.