Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music

SITUATION OVERVIEW:

ZRG Partners is proud to partner with Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in their search for an Executive Director. For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image below.

ABOUT THE CONGRESS:

Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music is an ambitious and evolving cultural destination in the heart of Philadelphia, Mississippi, bringing together a museum, a historic performance venue, and a community gathering space. Rooted in the vision of Grammy Award-winning artist Marty Stuart, the Congress preserves, celebrates, and advances the story of country music while serving as a vibrant cultural and civic hub.

The concept for the Congress was shaped by a broader movement across Mississippi to honor its musical legacy. Following encouragement from B.B. King, Stuart envisioned a permanent home for country music in his hometown, complementing institutions dedicated to blues, rock and roll, and other American genres. What began as a personal calling has evolved into a multi-faceted cultural campus with national significance.

The Congress celebrates the rich cultural heritage of country music through live performance and educational programming. Drawing on the legacy of Marty Stuart and other influential figures across American music, it illuminates the full creative process for visitors from across the United States.

Driven by a lifelong commitment to preservation, Stuart has assembled a collection of more than 20,000 objects, widely regarded as the largest private collection of country music artifacts in the world. Many are of Smithsonian caliber and have been described by scholars as among the “crown jewels” of the genre. Highlights include Hank Williams’ handwritten lyrics, Johnny Cash’s first black performance suit, the boots worn by Patsy Cline at the time of her death, Jimmie Rodgers’ railroad lantern, Porter Wagoner’s stage suits, and handwritten manuscripts by Dolly Parton, among many others.

A landmark partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum provides for shared curatorial stewardship, access to archives, and ongoing preservation, education, and administrative support. Together, the institutions can draw on more than three million artifacts, ensuring dynamic and continually refreshed exhibitions.

Rotating exhibitions will feature internationally traveled artifacts and memorabilia, photography, outsider and folk art, and Native American crafts, highlighting both the history of country music and its future. Musical programming at the Ellis Theater, now an active and growing presenter, has already welcomed artists such as Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, and Wynton Marsalis, alongside emerging voices shaping the next generation.

The Marty Stuart Education Center invites students to go beyond the music into the lives and stories of its creators, offering an inspiring, personal learning experience. It uses music as a gateway to learning, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression, while introducing students to the breadth of careers across the music industry.

The Congress has secured more than $32 million in public and private support to date and remains debt free. The Ellis Theater has been fully restored and anchors a growing campus that now includes multiple properties, with museum and exhibition spaces currently under development and a full opening anticipated in 2027.

With the Ellis Theater actively presenting performances and the broader campus continuing to develop, the organization is entering a critical phase of growth. The Congress seeks its first Executive Director to guide the transition from a founder-driven vision to a fully realized, sustainable, and nationally recognized institution.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a multi-dimensional cultural organization at a formative moment. The Executive Director will serve as chief executive, responsible for building the organization’s infrastructure, growing earned and contributed revenue, advancing completion and activation of the campus, and ensuring the Congress fulfills its promise as a destination for music, history, education, and community.

POSITION:

The Executive Director will serve as chief executive officer of the Congress of Country Music, with responsibility for overall leadership, strategy, and operations. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with founder Marty Stuart and key stakeholders, the Executive Director will guide the transition from a developing initiative to a mature, high-performing nonprofit cultural institution.

The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the organization, including operations of the Ellis Theater; development of the museum and campus; financial management and fundraising; programming alignment; marketing and audience development; and community engagement. In doing so, they will build the organization’s infrastructure, grow earned and contributed revenue, and advance the completion and activation of the campus.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a multi-dimensional cultural organization at a formative moment and to ensure the Congress fulfills its promise as a destination for music, history, education, and community.

FROM MARTY STUART, FOUNDER:

Greetings, and welcome to my world. When you drive across the state line of Mississippi, you’ll be met by a sign that reads, “Welcome to Mississippi, Birthplace of America‘s Music.” One of the royal figures of Mississippi music was The King of Blues, B.B. King. In 2009 B.B. called and asked if I’d bring my band, The Fabulous Superlatives to his home town of Indianola, Mississippi for a visit at his newly built B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. We were invited to spend the day with B.B. and play a benefit concert to help raise operational funds for his center. The Superlatives and I shared a once in a lifetime experience playing music and being in the presence of Mr. King.

At the end of the festivities, B.B. summoned me. As I walked into his presence, he patted the seat next to his chair and said, “Mr. Stuart, Mr. King needs to speak with you.” I sat down and he asked, “do you know what‘s taking place in our state??” I asked him to please continue. He went on to say, “people come from all over the world to breathe the air where our music comes from. I now have this place which represents the story of the blues and the Mississippi Delta. Mr. Presley has represented rock and roll at his birthplace in Tupelo and at Graceland just across the state line in Memphis. There‘s talk of the Grammys putting in a beautiful facility in Cleveland on the campus of Delta State University. [It was completed in 2016]. In Jimmie Rodgers town of Meridian, The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Commission is getting set to build a 65-million-dollar facility that will represent all of the musicians, writers, actors, singers, poets and visual artists who come from this state.” [The MAX was completed in 2018].

B.B. then patted me on the shoulder and said, “country music needs a home in Mississippi. I want you to think about it.” By the time my tour bus rolled past the city limits sign of Indianola on the way out of town, my heart was on fire. I envisioned a world class cultural center in my hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. My vision was accompanied by a voice in my head saying, “this will be akin to parking a spaceship in the middle of nowhere and expecting a weary, small town with a storied past to accept and understand the traditions you’ll be imposing upon”.  My heart advised me that such an undertaking would be a tall mountain to climb. However, the possibilities outweighed the doubts. I knew that I had to build this vision.

One thing that added credibility to the notion of building such a place was the thought of my collection of country music artifacts having a permanent home. Beginning in the late 1960’s I started collecting treasures from a culture that I longed to be a part of. What started as a fan’s keepsake display in my bedroom by the end of the 1990’s had become an inventory of artifacts that went on to become known and regarded as the largest private collection of country music treasures in the world. Most every item is of Smithsonian caliber.

As B.B. King had suggested, I thought about it and fell in love with the thought of country music culture joining in the parade of established musical institutions around the state. I envisioned not only a regional place that was to be a touchstone to a culture, but an entity that shined on the world stage. University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat once said, “Mississippi is usually at the top of the wrong lists and at the bottom of the right ones.” Understood. But, when it comes to a creative legacy, Mississippi leads the charge. No other state compares.

Beyond all that has been accomplished in the Congress of Country Music space lies what is perhaps the most beautiful part of the entire story. To witness my hometown and the spirit of its people come back to life in a mighty way after years of being defined by a horrific series of civil rights events in 1964 is such a rewarding thing. The town is vibrant and on fire like never before. Philadelphia is such a unique Mississippi town. The town is tri-racial. Black, white and Native American. From the down beat of this Congress of Country Music project LOVE has been the theme. Everyone in the community has been included and made to feel welcome. The Mississippi Band of Choctaws have a beautiful dance called the friendship dance which has been adopted as a signature of tradition at the Congress of Country Music.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and for giving consideration to this project. So much groundwork has been done but the time has come for an executive director. It’s been pointed out that the location is going to be a challenge. I get it. Indeed, if you are looking for a well-established, everything in place suburban cultural center setting this might not be your dream project. However, if you are open to consider leading a one-of-a-kind, never-been-done before, divinely-ordered, highly-favored world-class institution with a global reach that’s staged from a small town setting filled with quality life, good friends and neighbors this might be your spot. Legacy is the word.

I wrote a line in a tribute song entitled “Dark Bird” in honor of my old Chief and Mentor Johnny Cash after he’d passed away. The line was “after you’ve been everywhere, I guess it’s time to leave.”

I’ve pretty much been everywhere, and the Congress of Country Music is what I’m leaving behind when my time on earth is through. I suspect the kind of director this project might appeal to is a kindred spirit who’s been there, done that a thousand times or more who is now looking for something exceptional and noble to be a part of. Something great to be remembered for.

— Marty Stuart, Founder

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Thank you so much for your interest in Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music, a place that means the world to me and to our hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. The Congress has already completed the beautiful renovation of the Ellis Theater, and we are now putting the finishing touches on our museum and community hall—spaces that will all be completely debt free when they open next year.

As we enter the fifth season of the Ellis Theater, which has truly become the beating heart of the Congress, we are proud of the way it continues to bring our community together while welcoming music lovers from across the globe to our remarkable corner of the world. Concerts alone, however, represent only one part of our vision. Our mission is rooted in touching lives—through exhibits, education, performances, and shared experiences that celebrate the soul and story of country music.

Our museum, like our theater, will honor the legends who shaped the genre while uplifting the rising stars who carry it forward. Through a unique partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame, we are fortunate to have access to their extraordinary collection and educational resources, allowing us to offer something truly special and unlike anything else in the region.

As the executive director of this soon-to-be-completed, multi-faceted nonprofit organization, you will play a central role in guiding us into the next chapter. This includes developing and expanding our educational programs, shaping community events, establishing organizational processes, and leading our fundraising efforts. We are eager to partner with an executive director who will work alongside us to elevate the Congress into a must-experience destination for visitors and a point of pride for our community.

The Congress plays a vital role in elevating our town—embracing our history, celebrating our culture, and inspiring our future. We are seeking a leader with vision, heart, and a deep appreciation for the people we serve.

I’m grateful for your interest in the Congress, and I sincerely hope you will consider joining us in this meaningful work and becoming part of our community.

— Pat Thomasson, Chair, Board of Directors, Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music

RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

The Executive Director will

• lead the organization’s next phase of growth by developing and implementing a clear strategic vision and plan aligned with the mission of the Congress;
• establish organizational priorities, performance metrics, and operational plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact;
• build the systems, processes, and internal infrastructure necessary for a complex, multi-use cultural institution; and
• guide the successful integration of the Ellis Theater, museum, educational initiatives, and campus-wide activities into a cohesive and mission-driven whole.

BOARD AND FOUNDER PARTNERSHIP

The Executive Director will

• serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, supporting effective governance, strategic alignment, and board engagement;
• build a strong, trust-based partnership with founder Marty Stuart, honoring the artistic and cultural vision while providing operational leadership and execution; and
• support board development, including recruitment, engagement, and fundraising participation.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND REVENUE GROWTH

The Executive Director will

• oversee the organization’s financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting;
• develop and execute a diversified revenue model that includes contributed income and earned revenue streams such as ticket sales, rentals, sponsorships, educational programs, and special events; and
• ensure sound financial controls, accountability, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

FUNDRAISING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The Executive Director will

• serve as the organization’s lead fundraiser, cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, sponsors, foundations, and public funders;
• partner with the Board and key stakeholders to grow philanthropic support and advance capital and programmatic funding initiatives; and
• represent the organization publicly, building relationships with civic leaders, cultural partners, and regional and national stakeholders.

MUSEUM, PROGRAMMING, AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE

The Executive Director will

• provide executive oversight of the development and eventual operation of the Congress museum, including exhibitions, collections stewardship, interpretive planning, and partnerships;
• ensure high-quality, mission-aligned programming across the Ellis Theater and broader campus; and
• support the development of a compelling and cohesive visitor experience that integrates performance, exhibition, education, and community engagement.

MARKETING, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT, AND BRAND VISIBILITY

The Executive Director will

• lead the organization’s marketing and communications strategy to build local, regional, and national awareness;
• drive audience growth and engagement across performances, museum visitation, and educational programs; and
• position the Congress as a premier cultural destination and a defining voice in the preservation and celebration of country music.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS

The Executive Director will

• build strong relationships within Philadelphia, Neshoba County, and across Mississippi, ensuring the Congress serves as a meaningful and inclusive community resource;
• serve as a personable, forward-facing leader who acts as the public face of the Congress;
• develop partnerships with educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community groups;
• advance the organization’s role in cultural tourism and regional economic development; and
• utilize community feedback to help evolve the Congress into the best, most valuable resource it can be.

STAFF LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE

The Executive Director will

• recruit, lead, and develop a high-performing staff team;
• foster a collaborative, mission-driven organizational culture grounded in accountability, respect, and shared purpose; and
• establish clear roles, goals, and performance expectations across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music seeks an Executive Director with

• a commitment to the mission of the Congress – to be the spiritual home of country music, committed to touching lives by sharing experiences, through exhibits, education and performances that inspire dreams for generations;
• experience successfully leading organizations or major initiatives through periods of growth, development, or transformation;
• respect for and an ability to steward a founder-driven vision while building institutional structure and sustainability;
• an entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a developing and evolving environment;
• experience in fundraising, including major gifts, institutional support, and revenue diversification;
• experience managing budgets and financial operations with discipline and transparency;
• an ability to oversee or partner effectively in both performing arts programming and museum/exhibition contexts;
• experience successfully working with a governing board and engaging stakeholders at multiple levels;
• exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with artists, donors, community leaders, and public officials;
• experience representing an organization publicly and serving as a visible and credible ambassador;
• a deep appreciation for the cultural significance of country music and its history;
• excellent judgment, integrity, and emotional intelligence;
• a collaborative and inclusive leadership style; and
• a passion for community engagement and cultural impact.

At least seven years of significant leadership experience in a nonprofit, cultural, museum, performing arts, or related organization is required for this position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will build and lead a growing team over time, initially working independently and progressively assembling a staff to support the organization’s expanding operations, with direct reports to be defined as the structure develops.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is highly competitive, commensurate with experience. Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music currently offers generous paid time off and a substantial contribution toward health insurance costs, with a continued focus on evolving its overall benefits approach.

LOCATION:

Philadelphia is a small but regionally significant city in east-central Mississippi and the county seat of Neshoba County, with a population of approximately 7,000 residents. It serves as a commercial and civic hub for the surrounding area, supporting a mix of national retailers, locally owned businesses, healthcare providers, and educational institutions. Located within driving distance of larger markets such as Jackson and Meridian, the community offers access to additional cultural, transportation, and professional resources while maintaining a more accessible and affordable quality of life.

Philadelphia is also a gateway to one of the most dynamic tourism and cultural regions in the state. Its proximity to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation and the Pearl River Resort supports a steady flow of visitors and contributes to a vibrant hospitality and entertainment economy. Attractions such as Geyser Falls  Water Theme Park, Choctaw cultural sites, and annual festivals underscore the area’s strong sense of identity and community pride. With a walkable downtown, regional connectivity via Highways 16 and 19, and growing investment in arts and culture, Philadelphia offers a compelling blend of small-town character, economic activity, and cultural relevance.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the Congress, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music and the responsibilities and competencies presented in the position prospectus. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected.

To nominate a candidate or inquire about the position, please contact Tom Truitt or Christopher Wingert.

ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:

ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies find, hire, and manage talent through its data-driven approach to executive and professional search. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.