Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotechnology research company, has appointed Wafi Alshehri as HRBP Director for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC, effective immediately.
Alshehri shared the news on LinkedIn, posting: “I’m pleased to share that I have joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals as HRBP Director for KSA and the GCC. This step is an important milestone in my career, and I’m honored to join a company known for its strong values, science-driven mission, and commitment to improving patients’ lives. I look forward to contributing to Vertex’s growth in the region and supporting our teams as we continue to build a strong and meaningful workplace.”
In his new role, Alshehri brings over two decades of HR and strategic leadership experience across the healthcare and public sectors. He most recently served SaudiBio as the Head of People & Organization, overseeing people and organization solutions, cultural transformation, operational effectiveness, business alignment, and the creation of a future talent pipeline in line with Vision 2030 targets.
Stepping down from his role at SaudiBio, he shared: “I had an incredible journey at SaudiBio, and I want to take a moment to reflect on the experience and the people I worked with… My time at SaudiBio was an important part of my career. I had the chance to work with talented colleagues and supportive leaders who helped me grow and trusted me with major responsibilities. Together, we worked through many challenges, built new processes, and supported the organization during a period of real change and expansion.”
He has also held key roles with Biogen and the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
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On the academic front, Alshehri holds a master’s degree in HR Management from the University of Connecticut School of Business, a master’s degree in Public Administration from East Carolina University, and a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from King Abdulaziz University. He also holds a CIPD Level 5 qualification from Oakwood International, a Risk Management Professional certification from IPMC, and certifications in other key HR areas.