Zimmer is currently the chief economist of Alliance Bernstein (with assets of $550 billion) in Greater China. Previously, he worked as the chief economist in Asia Pacific in Amundi Asset Management Company (asset size10.5 trillion US dollars).

Zimmer previously worked for Azentus Hedge Fund Company (formerly Goldman Sachs, with assets of $2 billion) as the global chief economist. Zimmer also worked for Deutsche Bank to study China's economy and worked with Ma Jun, former chief economist of the People's Bank of China. Zimmer studied for a doctorate at Columbia University in new york, USA, and studied under Professor joseph stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 20001year.

Since 2005, Zimmer has been helping Professor Stiglitz to put forward policy suggestions for the China municipal government, including the 1 1, 12 and 13 five-year plans.