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James Ellender has a diverse work experience in various industries. James started their career at YMCA NSW in 2005, where they held multiple roles, including Establishment Officer, Health, Fitness and Marketing Manager, and Area Manager. James then moved on to YMCA Victoria as a Branch Manager in 2007. From 2008 to 2010, they served as Group Manager at YMCA NSW, where they were responsible for supporting the development and operational opening of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.

In 2010, James returned to YMCA NSW as the Marketing & Communications Manager and later became the General Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising. In 2014, they joined Achieve Australia as the General Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising. In 2015, they briefly worked at Sydney Local Health District as a Senior Manager in Relationships and Fundraising.

From 2015 to 2018, James held the position of NSW State Manager at Belgravia Leisure, where they had overall responsibility for multiple health, fitness, and leisure sites. James then became the General Manager of Marketing and Strategy at Belgravia Leisure, leading a team of specialists across marketing, digital, communications, sales, and guest experience.

In 2020, James joined ActiveXchange as the Chief Executive Officer, where they focused on bringing data, decisions, and operations into one platform for community sport and recreation. Currently, they are the Head of Expansion Hub at the AFL - Australian Football League since April 2023.

In addition to their various roles, James has also been an Academic Board Member at the Australian College of Physical Education since March 2018, where they contribute to academic policy making and oversees the educational process.

James Ellender has a Bachelor's degree in Health & Physical Education, which they obtained from the Australian College of Physical Education from 2002 to 2004. In 2018, they attended the Australian Institute of Company Directors for a program called "Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors." Additionally, in 2013 and 2011, they participated in fundraising courses offered by the North American YMCA Development Organisation (NAYDO).