James brings to TAFE Gippsland a 20-year track record of creating high performing organisations as a CEO and Victorian Government Senior Executive. Most recently he served as Executive Director of Apprenticeships Victoria, leading statewide apprenticeship policy, and major programs to support more than 65,000 apprentices and trainees. Before this he was Chief Executive Officer of AFL SportsReady, where he oversaw national growth, supported thousands of young people into employment and training, and expanded the organisation into new areas.

Earlier in his career James held senior roles in the Victorian Government, including Director of Community Sport and Recreation and Director of the Office for Youth. He led major funding programs, community participation initiatives, and policy work to support young people, people with disability and Indigenous communities. He also completed the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Executive Fellows program in recognition of his leadership.